Turn in Adelaide, but Bashir on bench! Ashes anxiety coerces England into costly gamble

Shoaib Bashir ignored by England for third Ashes Test [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @doncricket_/X.com]

England unveiled a surprising playing XI for the third Test of Ashes 2025, scheduled to be held in Adelaide. Shoaib Bashir, the visitors' only specialist spinner, was ignored as Josh Tongue replaced Gus Atkinson.

With England trailing 0-2 in the 5-game series, they were expected to put their best foot forward. But instead, Ben Stokes and co. chose to play it safe and hide their best spin ammunition on the bench.

---

ALSO READ

England playing XI for 3rd Ashes Test vs Australia revealed; Josh Tongue returns

---

Adelaide has a history of favouring spinners

(Table: Spinners' performance at Adelaide Oval in Tests since 2020)

If there was one ground in Australia where England’s long-term investment in a tall, high-release off-spinner finally made sense, it was this one. 

Instead, with the pitch promising turn and temperatures set to bake the surface, England have parked their specialist spinner, Shoaib Bashir, on the bench and doubled down on batting depth. 

It is a decision that feels at odds with both conditions and logic. The Adelaide Oval has a history with spin. 

(Table: Nathan Lyon's Test stats at Adelaide Oval)

Nathan Lyon, a legendary off-spinner, alone has taken 63 Test wickets here, more than any other bowler, and is set to return hungry, angry, and one wicket away from overtaking Glenn McGrath on Australia’s all-time list. 

Lyon has spoken openly about spin being incredibly important to Test cricket, and the curator has echoed that sentiment, insisting this will not be a pitch where spinners are ignored. 

Ben Stokes prioritises batting depth

England, however, have chosen to ignore their own evidence. Instead of Shoaib Bashir, they have again trusted Will Jacks as the lone spin option, a batting all-rounder whose primary value lies with the bat. 

Jacks has bowled just 11 overs across the ongoing Ashes so far and has taken one wicket. He has been tidy at times, but tidy is not enough on a surface expected to deteriorate over five days. When footmarks open up, and the pitch starts to grip, England will be asking a part-timer to do a frontline spinner’s job.

That is a gamble, not a plan. The justification is clear enough. England want batting depth. They want insurance against collapses. They want flexibility to uphold the ‘Bazball’ approach. 

But Ashes Tests are not won by padding the lower order alone, especially not in Adelaide, where spin has historically shaped matches late. Australia understand this. Lyon could be back. England, somehow, are pretending spin is optional.

Shoaib Bashir’s career is on the brink

(Table: Shoaib Bashir's Test stats since debut in 2024)

What makes the decision sting more is the context around Shoaib Bashir. England spent nearly two years fast-tracking him, backing him through inexperience, and justifying his selection over seniors like Jack Leach on future promise rather than present dominance. 

He was told he was being prepared for Australia. Now, when the conditions finally suit his skill set, he is sidelined. That sends a damaging message.

Bashir’s numbers, 68 wickets in 33 innings, are not elite, but they are respectable for a young spinner learning at the Test level. More importantly, he offers what Jacks does not, which is the ability to bowl long spells, attack late in the game, and exploit roughness created by fast bowlers. 

Leaving him out here raises uncomfortable questions about whether England ever truly believed in the project or whether he was simply a convenient experiment. 

England might pay a heavy cost for an illogical gamble

There is also a human cost. Shoaib Bashir currently has no county contract. Test cricket has been his home. Being omitted at Adelaide of all places risks turning him from a long-term investment into a discarded one.

If Nathan Lyon thrives, if the pitch turns, and if England are left searching for control on days four and five, this decision will be scrutinised relentlessly. Because Adelaide is not Perth or Brisbane. Spin matters here.

And by benching Shoaib Bashir, England may have overthought themselves into an avoidable mistake, one that could hurt both this Test, the Ashes 2025 series and a young spinner’s career.

---

ALSO READ

"May not hit sixes": Brook hints at putting Bazball on hold to tackle Ashes elimination

---