Shoaib Bashir has been reassured that he remains England’s first-pick spinner, despite Will Jacks being selected for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. On the eve of the game Ben Stokes said the decision had been made because of the unique challenges of a day-night match at the Gabba and Jacks’s greater quality with the bat.
“We tried to look at how we thought spin was going to be used, and there was a bit of a tactical element to it,” Stokes said. “Jacksy’s ability with the bat, to have that down the order for us is useful as well. But if it ever comes down to picking our best, No 1 spinner, selection will go the other way.
