The England and Wales Cricket Board has named a 12-man squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia. The match will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and will begin on Sunday, 4 January. England head into the last game looking to finish the long tour on a positive note.

After a demanding series, England will aim to carry forward the confidence gained from their win in Melbourne. Although the visitors are trailing in the series, the recent victory has lifted spirits within the camp. The final Test gives England a chance to show fight and consistency.

The selectors have made a few changes to strengthen the squad for Sydney conditions. With the pitch often offering help to both seamers and spinners, England have focused on adding balance and depth to their bowling attack.

Fresh faces and injury update for Sydney Test

Spinner Shoaib Bashir and fast bowler Matthew Potts are the two additions to the squad. Their inclusion gives England more bowling options as they prepare for the final challenge of the tour. The team management will assess conditions before deciding the final playing XI.

Bashir has finally earned his opportunity after waiting patiently throughout the series. However, he has not played in any test match until now but is still involved in practice matches and A-team matches. His performance in the background kept him in contention for a late call-up to the team. Potts is also included in the team and is his first selection in 2024. The right-arm seamer has played 10 Tests and taken 36 wickets, and his experience could prove useful in Sydney. Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson misses out after suffering a left hamstring injury during the Melbourne Test, which ruled him out of the remainder of the tour.

England, led by Ben Stokes, currently trails the Ashes series 3–1. After losses in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, the win at Melbourne brought renewed belief. The Sydney Test now offers England one final chance to end the tour with momentum and pride.

England squad for fifth Ashes Test

Ben Stokes (Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (WK), Josh Tongue.

England's young spinner Shoaib Bashir has reacted to Nathan Lyon's comments, where the Australian great rated Jack Leach as England's best spinner and referred to Bashir's performances as "okay." Bashir didn't seem to mind the comment and said everyone has opinions, which aren't something he worries about, and praised Lyon's skillset, as Lyon has a masterful sense of overspin and is able to create a lot of sharp revolutions on the ball and this is why he has had success as one of the most successful spinners in modern-day cricket.

However, we know that Bashir is a calm and happy guy, but it looks like he is motivated to prove a point after Lyon's comments, and he could get the opportunity to do so in The Ashes 2025. The 21-year-old may be out for the foreseeable future, as his finger injury and subsequent surgery following the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy have kept him sidelined from competitive cricket, but when fit, Bashir is expected to fill a key role in England's spin department, and will likely be even more determined to shut up people and perform well in Australian conditions.

See Also: IPL 2026: KKR all in for Sanju Samson! Can offer a hefty fee

“Everyone has their own opinions, and that’s fine. I just stick to what I believe and what the people around me believe. I don’t really look at that stuff. I do enjoy the way he bowls, especially his overspin, it’s a great asset he has, and the amount of revs he puts on the ball,” Bashir in an interaction.

England have chosen Shoaib Bashir as their lead spinner in Tests

England have several spin options in Jack Leach and Liam Dawson, yet the selectors have shown faith in Shoaib Bashir, who has impressed in a short career. His height and high-arm release give him an edge, producing bounce and overspin—qualities England believe will be crucial in Australian conditions. Much like Nathan Lyon, Bashir extracts sharp bounce after pitching, a trait that could make him highly effective on the bouncy tracks Down Under. This potential has convinced the management to groom him as their lead spinner.

However, Bashir still has areas to refine, especially in maintaining control. He often bowls loose deliveries, making it difficult to string together consistently tight overs in the longest format. Despite this, England view him as a long-term investment who already has the natural attributes to succeed. If he can overcome his control issues, Bashir has the potential to evolve into a complete spinner capable of making a significant impact in The Ashes 2025 and beyond.

England are sweating for the fitness of their lone off-spinner, Shoaib Bashir, after he damaged his little finger during the third day of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s. Ravindra Jadeja drilled a shot straight down the ground as Bashir, trying to stop the ball, came before it and got hit on the little finger. It was technically a caught and bowled chance though

Bashir was stuck firmly on the hand as he signaled to the dressing room and rushed to the hut with the injured finger, expecting a dislocation, before Joe Root completed the over. The Ben Stokes-led side was hopeful, at the initial stage, of the bowler being available to bowl in the evening session.

See Also: [WATCH] Mohammed Siraj traps Ollie Pope for LBW during ENG vs IND 3rd Test

However, the spinner sat with the substitute fielders and didn’t take the field. He bowled on a practice surface before the start of the fourth day’s play with heavy strapping on the fifth and fourth fingers. He will likely bat only if required badly. The official confirmation has put the home side a little on the back foot as there is a huge importance of the bowler on the uneven surface.

England give a massive injury update on Shoaib Bashir in the ENG vs IND 2025 series

‘Following his left little finger injury, Shoaib Bashir continues to be monitored and is expected to bowl in the fourth innings of this Test. A decision on whether he will bat in the third innings will be made in due course. His involvement in the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford will be assessed at the end of the match.’ The official statement by the England Cricket Board (ECB) was made on the fourth morning.

Bashir has taken nine wickets at nearly 60 in this series, including the wicket of KL Rahul, who drove the spinner lazily on the third day at Lord’s. However, the rest of the wickets have come only by the fielders on the boundary rope. With over a week to go, the spinner will get ample time to recover. If he is not deemed fit to play in Manchester, England will have to find different options.

Liam Dawson or Jack Leach could make a return to the side. Rehan Ahmed could be another option, who will be valuable even with the bat in hand. Jacob Bethell, however, by the head coach, is seen as the spare batter, rather than the number eight.

England—565/6d

Zimbabwe—265 & 255 (f/o)

England confirmed their first victory of the summer by defeating Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, by an innings and 45 runs. The visitors had no match for the hosts, and the one-off Test concluded on Day 3. Shoaib Bashir, with 6 wickets in the second innings and three in the first, received the man of the match award. 

Zimbabwe started Day 3 with an all-attacking approach. Ben Curran and Sean Williams, the combination of young and experience, was top of their strategy to counter attack english bowling attacks until the launch. 38-year-old Williams played some pure copy book shot which warmed the match more. The right hander departed after a well fought 88 and Curran 37. 

After a sunny Day 2, Day 3 was covered with heavy clouds, accompanied by a strong breeze, perfect conditions for seamers. But it was Bashir who drove the momentum of the match towards England. Pacers like Josh Tongue, Sam Cook went for some expensive overs against an attacking Zimbabwe. Assertive approaches from Sikandar Raza (60) and Wesley Madhevere (31) entertained the visitors at the Trent Bridge. 

Read More: How to buy T20 Mumbai League tickets— know every details

A dominating performance ahead of the series against India

Like skipper Ben Stokes, other England players were hungry to grab their first win of the summer. Harry Brook on the second slip took a stunner. Right-handed Madhevere misjudged Stokes' delivery and got a thick edge. The ball was about to travel high over the slip region when Brook jumped at the right time, stretched his body, and grabbed the ball in his right arm safely for an unbelievable catch. 

England won by an innings and 45 runs in the historic Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge

Match Details 👉 https://t.co/cojkDo7BCj#ENGvZIM #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/P2PIc0xWCM

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) May 24, 2025

This authoritative win against Zimbabwe will provide extra mental strength for their upcoming 5-match Test assignment against India, starting from June 20 at the Yorkshire Cricket Ground.

Shoaib Bashir delivered a masterclass in spin bowling during the one-off Test match between England and Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on May 23, 2025.  The young English off-spinner clean bowled Tafadzwa Tsiga with a ball that gripped on the pitch, turned sharply, and sent the off-stump cartwheeling. This was a huge moment, as Zimbabwe already trailed by 314 runs at the time, and the score was 55 for one. Bashir had already shown that he was able to get turn and bounce off a worn pitch and further enclosed England's vice-like grip on the game.

Tafadzwa's Tsiga dismissal, having made 22 off 48 balls, was an important wicket for England. The commentators declared that Bashir's delivery was an 'absolute beauty' as he began to enhance his stature and importance to the side. This wicket came at a key time, especially as Zimbabwe appeared to be stabilizing the innings. Although it was just one wicket, it again demonstrated how Bashir stayed composed having been put under pressure. This was another display that showed he was going to be able to cope with the rigors of first-class international cricket. 

England's Dominant Strategy

England felt confident by bringing in Bashir on the basis that they had conditions that favored spin. The pitch at Trent Bridge was a perfect canvas for his variations of pace and flight to cause problems against the Zimbabwean batsmen. As the match went on, England's bowlers, led by Bashir's inspired performance, continued to apply pressure and push Zimbabwe further and further on the back foot. If nothing else, this approach had allowed them to claim a crucial wicket and was helping England to secure a comprehensive victory by turning the screws on their opponents.

Watch the video here

An absolute beauty from Bashir! 😍 pic.twitter.com/AFzIQkHoDL

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 23, 2025

Also Read: When and Where to watch Indian Test team announcement?

For Zimbabwe, Tsiga's dismissal was almost like a warning of what they were up against, with a sideway-moving ball like this in front of him and an opponent that probably valued a win more than they did. Tsiga contributed resiliently; however, as Transfield had noted during the match, the turn and bounce of Bashir's deliveries had proved ultimately too much. Judging by their response to all this, England were set to push on towards a level of comprehensive victory, while Zimbabwe were left to reflect on the lessons that they had learned against this England side. In a match dominated by Bashir's pearls of crafty deliveries, he was able to provide one moment of magic that provided a turning point in proceedings and showcased what he might be able to achieve going forward, while bringing our focus back onto the shades of what awaits Test cricket in the future.

England spinner Shoaib Bashir mimicked his country’s footballer, Cole Palmer, by performing the ‘cold’ celebration after dismissing Alick Athanaze on Day 4 of the 2nd Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge on Sunday, July 21. Shoaib Bashir has “shown the world what he can do” said England captain Ben Stokes.

Star performance by Shoaib Bashir

Shoaib Bashir was the standout performer for England in the second innings, claiming five wickets while conceding just 41 runs with an economy rate of 3.70 in 11.1 overs. His stellar performance helped England secure a commanding victory over the West Indies by 241 runs, clinching an unassailable 2-0 series lead with one match still to play.

Chasing a daunting target of 385 runs after dismissing England for 425, West Indies crumbled under the pressure of England’s formidable bowling attack. They were bowled out for a mere 143 in 36.1 overs. Shoaib Bashir played a pivotal role in this collapse, leaving the West Indies reeling at 82/5 after dismissing Alick Athanaze.

The key dismissal occurred in the 19th over of the West Indies’ run chase when Athanaze attempted to defend a delivery from Bashir. The ball took a sharp edge off Athanaze’s bat and was caught by Joe Root at slip. Overjoyed with his second wicket of the innings, Shoaib Bashir celebrated by rubbing both his arms, imitating Cole Palmer’s signature ‘cold’ celebration.

“I don’t think gratification comes out of an ‘I told you so’ moment or having a point to prove,” Stokes said in the moments after England’s win in Nottingham. “Because the decisions we make are all based around not only how far we think their talent can take them, but also that we think they’re good enough for international cricket straight away.

“This is the worst that they’ll be. And if you think you can identify talent and you can throw them into an international environment and give them the confidence, give them the backing that they’re going to progress really quickly. 

“I don’t want to say it’s an ‘I told you so’ kind of thing, but it sort of is,” he joked.

“Every time we came in for a break [at Lord’s], Baz was going ‘this is Bash if you haven’t met him already,” Stokes said. 

“He showed what he could do in India with conditions in his favour,” Stokes said. “But the pitch this week didn’t really offer much for spin…I think what he’s done today is showed the world what he can do.”

Bashir’s impressive bowling figures

In addition to Athanaze, Bashir dismissed Kirk McKenzie, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, and Shamar Joseph to complete his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His figures of 5/41 are his best bowling figures in a Test innings to date.

In the first innings, Bashir also made significant contributions by picking up two wickets, those of Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie, finishing with figures of 2/108 in 25 overs.

See Also: Key takeaways from Gambhir’s first Press conference as India’s head coach: From backing Rohit and Virat to filling the shoes of Rahul Dravid – Cricket Winner

Shoaib Bashir’s exceptional performance and his celebratory mimicry of Cole Palmer added a memorable touch to England’s dominant victory over the West Indies.

On Friday, July 19, Mark Wood made a dramatic entrance into England’s Test team during the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Wood, who wasn’t part of the squad for the first Test as he was given time to recover from the T20 World Cup, was finally brought into the team for this match. With James Anderson retiring, Wood was added straight into the playing XI. He made an impressive comeback, with every ball of his first over clocking well above 90 mph.

Woakes and Atkinson started the bowling for England, covering the first nine overs before captain Ben Stokes brought Wood in. Though he didn’t take a wicket in his first over, he made a strong impression.

Wood Sets New Record for Fastest Over by an England Bowler

In that over, Wood’s six deliveries were all over 92 mph, including one at 96.5 mph. By the end of the over, he had set a new record for the fastest over by an England bowler at home. But Wood didn’t stop there he went on to bowl an even faster third over, with all deliveries over 93 mph and one reaching 97 mph.

As for the match, the West Indies got off to a solid start with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis putting on 53 runs for the first wicket. Shoaib Bashir broke their stand by dismissing Louis for 21. At the time of writing, the West Indies were 74 for 1 in response to England’s first innings total of 416.

Paras Mhambrey, the Indian bowling coach said on Saturday that the Ranchi pitch did not behave according to the team’s expectations. After the second day’s play in the fourth Test match between India and England, the hosts scored 219/7 in response to England’s first innings total of 353.

Mhambrey on Ranchi Pitch

After Stumps on Day 2, Mhambrey spoke about the conditions in the press conference. “From what we have seen out here, generally, the nature of the pitch is that it gets slower as the game progresses. We expected that. But, to be honest, we didn’t expect it to play that low on the second day itself.” He added,  “A couple of balls did keep low in the first innings itself. We expected it to get slower. But we were not expecting the variable bounce.”

He explained how variable bounce was experienced on the track. He also added that the management did not give any specific instructions to the curator regarding the pitch. “There was variable bounce. But I don’t think there were too many that spun sharply from the wicket. It was the variable bounce, on the lower side, which has made batting difficult. That is the nature of the soil. There were no specific instructions from us [to the curator] that we wanted to play on a rank turner.”

Mhambrey credited Bashir and Hartley

He also mentioned the duo of Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley. Bashir and Hartley took a total of six Indian wickets out of seven that fell today. “I think they bowled well. (They) kept a simple line and length. At this level, you expect your opposition to do that. They kept it simple and picked up wickets for that.”

While speaking of India’s batting performance he said, “What is important is that we have two set batsmen [Dhruv Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav] at the crease. We have a 40+ partnership going. I think they have really applied themselves. The important thing is we get as close as possible to the English total and then we will see tomorrow.”

According to the bowling coach, the hosts have to bat well in the second innings whatever the target is. He also mentioned that the venue conditions cannot be controlled. “What we need to look at is, that we are going to chase. The target will differ but mentally we will have to be ready to chase. We have to bat well in the second innings, whatever the target is. Let’s keep it that simple,” added Mhambrey.

Joe Root expresses confidence in England’s grip on the fourth Test against India, following a dominant second day in Ranchi. His 31st Test century paved the way for a resilient bowling performance, spearheaded by the 19-year-old offspinner Shoaib Bashir.

At the day’s end, India stood at 219 for 7 in their first innings, trailing by 134 runs with only wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel remaining among recognized batters. Root acknowledges the significance of any lead on a pitch already displaying considerable variable bounce.

“We’ve positioned ourselves well at the close of the first innings,” Root remarked. “We’ll monitor the game’s progression. Given the surface’s anticipated deterioration, early wickets tomorrow could firmly place us in control for the remainder of the match.”

Root’s Redemption: A Crucial Century Rescues England

However, Root’s unbeaten 122 off 274 balls is already shaping up to be the standout innings of the match. After rescuing England from a precarious 112 for 5 at lunch on day one, he played a crucial role in adding 51 runs for the final three wickets in the morning session. Root acknowledged that his performance served as a cathartic moment following his struggles for form in the opening three Tests.

“That’s my approach in every game,” he remarked. “I aim to adapt to the conditions and the game’s situation. It was clear what was required in that particular scenario on that surface, and fortunately, it paid off.

“It feels good to contribute this week,” he continued, reflecting on his previous scores of 29 in the six innings at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Rajkot. “It’s been a challenging series for me. So, I was determined to make a meaningful contribution for the team, and I’m glad I could achieve that today. Hopefully, I can maintain this form for the remainder of the series.”

Young Spinners Shine: Root’s Confidence in England’s Future

“The Brilliance of the Young Spinners and England’s Confidence Going Forward”.Root commended the outstanding effort of the team, stating, “The way the guys have operated today was a brilliant effort. I had a great view at first slip, watching them operate. For two young spinners to stand up and perform, it’s really encouraging for English cricket, and for us, for the rest of this series and the rest of this Test match.”

Bashir, initially a relative unknown, was drafted into the squad in December based on his impressive performances for Somerset. Root praised him, saying, “He’s brilliant. He’s a great young lad to have in the group. I’ve not seen much of him, and I might not have known much about him before this series, but he’s got a great character. He’s got a great sense of humour. He takes it all out to the field. And he’s clearly, as you can see, got huge amounts of ability and skill and a lot to offer, especially on a surface like this.”

Root expressed confidence in England’s ability to capitalize on their advantage and level the series at 2-2 going into the fifth Test in Dharamsala. He emphasized the importance of batting with freedom in challenging conditions to set India a formidable target.

SEE ALSO:India Ends Day 2 at 219/7, Trails by 134 Runs against England in Ranchi

England’s spin pair of Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley wreaked havoc on India during the second day of the fourth Test in Ranchi, combining to claim six crucial wickets. Despite England’s earlier dismissal for 353 in their first innings, they maintained pressure by consistently taking wickets, despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s resilient batting for India.

The day began positively for England, as Ollie Robinson aggressively accumulated boundaries, catching India off guard. He partnered effectively with overnight centurion Joe Root, extending their partnership to over 100 runs. Robinson reached a milestone, scoring his maiden fifty in Test cricket, before falling to Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery.

Jadeja continued to dismantle England’s lower order, with Bashir also chipping in with vital breakthroughs. Despite Root’s impressive unbeaten 122, England’s total seemed competitive, especially considering their precarious position at 112/5 on day one. India suffered an early setback when Rohit Sharma departed cheaply, nicking one behind off James Anderson.

Spin Twins Turn the Tide: Bashir and Hartley’s Dominance

While Jaiswal showcased promising form, England’s bowlers maintained pressure, dismissing key Indian batsmen at regular intervals. Bashir’s pivotal wickets in the second session, including Shubman Gill and Jadeja, put India under immense pressure. Although Jaiswal fought valiantly, his dismissal for 73 further dented India’s hopes of a strong reply.

With half the side back in the pavilion and a significant deficit to overcome, India relied on their lower order to stage a comeback. However, England capitalized on their advantage, with Hartley accounting for crucial wickets, including Sarfaraz Khan and R Ashwin. Despite a resilient stand from Kuldeep Yadav and Dhruv Jurel, India faces an uphill task to close the gap on the third day.

In summary, England’s spin duo, supported by disciplined bowling and strategic partnerships, dominated proceedings, placing India in a challenging position as they trail by 134 runs with three wickets in hand.

SEE ALSO:Watch: Sachin Tendulkar Meets Para-Cricketer Amir Lone, Presents Autographed Bat