England arrived in Australia for the 2025/26 Ashes with a bold long-term plan and an even bigger contradiction. For nearly three years, the team management invested heavily in Shoaib Bashir, fast-tracking him as England’s future Test spinner. He was groomed almost exclusively in turning conditions across India and Pakistan, with the Ashes firmly in mind.
Yet, when the defining series finally arrived, Bashir barely featured. Instead, England leaned on Will Jacks, a batting all-rounder, as their regular off-spin option. The decision has raised serious questions about planning, trust, and England’s clarity under pressure.
Why England Prepared Shoaib Bashir for Three Years
England’s coaching group, led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, identified Bashir as a rare asset early on. Standing at over 6’4”, Bashir offered bounce, over-spin, and a high release point, traits England believed could work on hard Australian pitches.
Despite limited First-Class experience, he was pushed into the Test setup during tours of India and Pakistan. The idea was simple: expose him to pressure early, build his confidence, and develop his control. He was encouraged to bowl long spells, learn new variations, and even add the carrom ball, under the guidance of Moeen Ali.
This was not short-term thinking. Bashir was clearly a “project player,” one England expected to lead their spin attack in Australia. Former players and analysts openly spoke about how England were preparing him specifically for this Ashes tour.
Why Will Jacks Was Picked Over Bashir in the Ashes
When the Ashes began, England changed course. Bashir struggled in warm-up matches and an intra-squad game, raising concerns over control and confidence. On flatter pitches, England feared he would offer neither wickets nor control.
Will Jacks, meanwhile, provided balance. His batting depth allowed England flexibility, while his quicker off-breaks were seen as a holding option rather than an attacking one. In Tests at Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne, England preferred extra pace or all-round value over a specialist spinner.
This decision drew criticism from figures such as Michael Atherton, who argued that England had undermined its own planning. Spending years preparing a specialist, only to trust a part-timer when it mattered most, made the Bashir project look confused and incomplete.
What Bashir’s Ashes Absence Says About England’s Planning
As of the Sydney Test in January 2026, Bashir has remained on the sidelines, included in squads but rarely trusted on the field. The result is not just an Ashes defeat, but a bigger question: was Bashir ever truly ready, or did England lose faith at the worst time?
England wanted to be brave in selection. Instead, they hesitated when pressure peaked. For a team built on bold ideas, leaving their “mystery” bowler unused may be the clearest sign yet that long-term plans mean little without conviction.
