SYDNEY: England have drafted in spinner Shoaib Bashir and seamer Matthew Potts for the fifth and final Ashes test against Australia, starting on Sunday, as they look to cover for the injured Gus Atkinson.
Atkinson suffered a left hamstring injury during England’s victory in the fourth test in Melbourne, becoming the third England fast bowler — after Mark Wood and Jofra Archer — to see his Ashes campaign curtailed by injury.
With the Sydney Cricket Ground traditionally offering assistance to spin, Bashir is in contention to make his 20th test appearance. However, his inclusion is not guaranteed, with storms and rain forecast for the opening two days potentially influencing team selection and conditions.
England can no longer reclaim the Ashes after losing the first three tests of the series, but morale has been lifted by their dramatic two-day win in Melbourne. They will aim to end the tour on a positive note in Sydney.
SCG chief curator Adam Lewis said he remained hopeful the pitch would hold up well enough for the match to extend into a fifth day, despite the unsettled weather outlook.
