Exclusive: Will Jacks and Shoaib Bashir Backed to Lead England’s Spin Options for the Ashes

England tested several red-ball spinners to find a frontliner before seeing a spark in Shoaib Bashir. 

One generally doesn't need two spinners in Australia, but to balance their Ashes squad for the five-match series starting on November 21, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have gone with two batters who bowl spin.

Jacob Bethell has been part of the Test setup; the selection of Will Jacks surprised some, as he hasn't played the format since 2022 in Pakistan. Many expected a second spinner, like Jack Leach or Liam Dawson, to get selected. 

However, the 26-year-old from Surrey could serve as backup and as a player for the tough tour ahead.

DECODING WILL JACKS' SPIN TALENT

Ben Stokes is not likely to play all five Tests, where Jacks could walk in. And at the same time, he could play in the XI as a batter and hold one end with the ball, which could aid Bashir. How good a spin-bowler is Jacks? 

"He can hold one end for long periods, and if something is in the wicket, he could be a threatening bowler. He might not get as much bounce as Bashir, but he will always create opportunities," Eranga Mendis, Surrey's specialist spin coach, who has worked with Bashir and Jacks, told Sportsboom.co.uk. 

In the two Tests that Jacks played against Pakistan, he returned 6/161 in Rawalpindi on a wicket that assisted spin. 

"Before being an off-spinner, he is a batter. If you look at his career across first-class, Test cricket, one-day games, T20, and the Indian Premier League, you will see that he has played as a part-time spinner and he can break partnerships, which is key. Being a batter gives him the ability to think like a batter [what he might do] in certain situations, when he is bowling," said Eranga, adding, "In Australia, it is about the line. The ball doesn't spin much. You have to define your lines before length. If the wicket doesn't spin, the batter can hit you over vacant areas."

Eranga reasoned that Jacks can bowl from both sides of the wicket with equal precision. "He can bowl over and round the wicket, and challenge the batters with line for long periods."

SPIN QUARTET: BASHIR, JACKS, ROOT, BETHELL

From no spinners to suddenly four. England may use the part-time spin of Jacks, Bethell, and Joe Root alongside Bashir. 

"There are more options in the team with Jacks. Bethell bowls left-arm spin, while Jacks and Root are right-arm off-spinners," said the seasoned coach, who worked on "tactical" things with Bashir, which could help him in the Ashes.

Speaking about Bashir, Mendis highlighted that the youngster is a clever bowler with skills, and he needs to be creative in Australia to be successful. 

"Bashir's duty is to come in on the third or fourth day to pick up wickets. Due to his height, he can get the ball to bounce on Australian wickets, which is one of the key things. We have been working on his top-spinner to create more bounce, which could create more opportunities. He is a young spinner and still learning, although he is being compared to Nathan Lyon, who has been around for a while. Bowling spin is about creativity in the sessions, and finding the right pace and length. All the games would be wicket-dependent."

The first three Tests are at Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, where two names are bright on the 'most wickets' board, Lyon and Shane Warne, the two legendary Aussie spinners. 

Off-spinner Lyon has 29 in five outings at Perth, leg-spin legend Warne has 68 in 11 Tests at Brisbane, while both are neck-to-neck Adelaide with 63 to Lyon in 14 Tests, and 56 to Warne in 13.