Ashes 5th Test: England Name Matthew Potts, Shoaib Bashir In 12-Member Squad For SCG Final Against Australia

Ashes 5th Test: England have named their 12-man squad for the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday, including off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and seamer Matthew Potts in the team.

The duo have not gotten the chance yet to feature for the visitors on the tour, but due to injury to prime pacer Gus Atkinson, the pair is set to get an opportunity. The pacer has been ruled out of the match due to a hamstring injury.

With the SCG expected to traditionally offer more help to spin bowling as compared to other Australian venues, the inclusion of Bashir and Potts gives England flexibility as they aim to conclude the series on a high note.

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Both Bashir and Potts are now in contemplation to make their Ashes debut by replacing an injured Atkinson. Potts has been mostly on the bench throughout the series but is poised for earning an 11th Test cap after last being in the playing XI against New Zealand in late 2024.

A 12-man squad was also named for the first Test in Perth, which also ended in two days, with Bashir sitting out on that occasion as England went in for an all-pace attack. Bashir has also not played for England since the third Test against India at Lord's in July.

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Despite losing the Ashes series, another victory in Sydney after the triumph in Melbourne would encourage the visitors heading into future World Test Championship assignments.

England squad for 5th Test:

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