Somerset's Shoaib Bashir named in the England Test squad
He's part of the 13-player squad for the upcoming Rothesay Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge
Somerset's very own Shoaib Bashir has been named in the 13-player squad for the upcoming Rothesay Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
The historic fixture will begin on May 22nd, marking Zimbabwe's first Test on English soil since 2003.
It'll mark the start of England's international summer.
Among those taking the trip will be Somerset's Shoaib Bashir, as well as Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope - all who will have the chance to bolster their position after difficult spells.
Crawley averaged just 8.66 on the tour of New Zealand and has looked vulnerable at times for Kent this season, while Pope's place has also come under scrutiny after a mixed run of form.
First-choice spinner Bashir managed only two wickets in his first three games after being sent on loan from Somerset to Glamorgan. The selectors have kept faith with the trio, backing them at the start of a summer that will pick up in intensity with a big five-match series against India.
Captain Ben Stokes has yet to play this season for Durham, working hard in the background to recover from a badly torn hamstring, but it is unclear how much bowling he will be able to do.
Whilst Sam Cook will finally get the chance to prove his Test credentials after he received his first England call-up.
Cook is one of two uncapped players in the 13-man squad, joining Essex team-mate Jordan Cox.
England will be heavy favourites to see off Zimbabwe in the four-dayer at Trent Bridge, but will need to do so with a new-look bowling line-up.
England squad to face Zimabwe at Trent Bridge (May 22-25): Z Crawley, B Duckett, O Pope, J Root, H Brook, J Smith, B Stokes (c), J Cox, G Atkinson, M Potts, J Tongue, S Cook, S Bashir.