England spinner Shoaib Bashir struggled on the final day of the Ashes warm-up against the Lions, raising the prospect of the tourists selecting an all-pace frontline for the series opener in Perth on Friday. Bashir conceded nearly seven an over, returning figures of 1-83 from 12 overs for the senior side after earlier taking 1-68 from 12 for the Lions.
With Mark Wood cleared of a hamstring concern after bowling eight overs in the tune-up fixture, England could opt for a seam-heavy attack of Wood, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson at Optus Stadium. Josh Tongue would be the most likely deputy if Stokes needs more time to prove his fitness.
England beat the Lions by five wickets in Perth. Ollie Pope backed up a first-innings century with a 90 off 67 balls as the first team chased 201 in 34.4 overs following a manufactured Lions declaration on 251-6. Stokes was 15 not out and Jamie Smith 39 not out after Pope, Joe Root (31) and Harry Brook (19) fell. Openers Zak Crawley (3) and Ben Duckett (0) were out cheaply, Duckett falling for a golden duck to Nathan Gilchrist.
Off-spinning all-rounder Will Jacks dismissed Root and Brook, both bowled, and may have leapfrogged Bashir in the pecking order if England pick a specialist spinner. For the Lions, Jacob Bethell made 70 before being caught and bowled by Bashir; Ben McKinney scored 68, Jordan Cox 57 and Jacks 20. Carse, who missed day one with illness, took 3-65 from 11 overs.
Durham paceman Carse said: “It’s going to be amazing. If the opportunity comes, it’s something that I’m looking forward to taking. It’s exciting. I think we’ve got a group of six bowlers who, whatever dynamic we go with, will relish those conditions.”
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 (All times UK and Ireland)
First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground