Former England spinner Monty Panesar has thrown his support behind young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, backing him to succeed where so many visiting tweakers have failed in Australian conditions.
Australia's Reputation as Spin Graveyard
Panesar knows firsthand how difficult bowling spin in Australia can be, having endured a tough Ashes series during England's 2006/07 campaign. The left-arm spinner bowled 160.2 overs for just 13 wickets at an average of 48.92, including being dismantled by West Australian legend Adam Gilchrist during his iconic WACA century.
"Australia has become a tweaker's graveyard for visiting spinners," Panesar acknowledged, speaking to The West Australian via AceOdds.com. His own experience serves as a cautionary tale, having been the final wicket that saw Australia regain the Ashes in that memorable Perth Test nearly two decades ago.
Bashir's Unexpected Rise
Despite having only 10 first-class wickets to his name before his shock Test debut, the 22-year-old Bashir has emerged as England's frontline spinner. His current record of 68 wickets at an average of 39 from 19 matches highlights both his rapid development and England's concerning lack of spin depth.
"He's done really well with a lack of first-class experience," Panesar said. "He's still refining his craft in Test cricket, but the reason they've invested so much in him is because of his height."
Standing at 193cm tall, Bashir's physical attributes could prove crucial in Australian conditions. Panesar believes this extra height could generate the kind of bounce that has made Nathan Lyon so successful against left-handed batsmen.
The Matchup Game Plan
Panesar identified specific Australian left-handers where Bashir's bounce could prove decisive. "Usman Khawaja at the top of the order or Jake Weatherald, or Alex Carey," he listed. "If Bashir can get a couple of their wickets, it becomes about the matchups."
The former spinner emphasized that success in Australia requires careful planning and execution. "In Australia, you've got to have the momentum and get the matchups right," Panesar explained. "Ben Stokes needs to know the bowler who can get Steve Smith out, the bowler who's going to get Marnus Labuschagne out."
Regarding Alex Carey specifically, Panesar suggested: "Extra bounce, short in height, he gets him out every time."
Contingency Plans and X-Factors
England's concerns about their spin options are evident in their selection of backup all-rounder Will Jacks. Panesar sees Jacks as a potential "X-factor guy like Washington Sundar is for India" who could contribute valuable runs and occasional wickets.
"If he goes for a few runs, he can contribute with the bat," Panesar noted. "He bowls a heavy stock delivery. In Australia, that works because you'll get the pace and the bounce."
The selection of two off-spinners in the squad reflects England's uncertainty, with Panesar suggesting they preferred finger spin control over the potential volatility of leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed.
Lyon's Challenge from English Batsmen
Panesar also turned his attention to Australia's veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, predicting a tough series against England's tall right-handers. He singled out Zak Crawley as someone who could "take him down" despite the opener's modest Test average of 31.55, which drops to 27.66 in Australian conditions.
"When you look at the Ashes, the winning team has had a player who's become an X-factor," Panesar observed. "Someone has played beyond their measure. Well, I think it will be Zak Crawley for Nathan Lyon."
He also mentioned Harry Brook's "unexpectedness" as another potential threat to Lyon's dominance, suggesting that England's tall right-handers could neutralize one of Australia's key weapons.
With England relying heavily on their pace attack despite injury concerns to Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, Bashir's ability to handle Australian conditions could prove crucial to England's hopes of regaining the Ashes for the first time since 2015.
