After speaking with Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir claims to understand why, despite being England’s first-choice spinner, he is trailing his Somerset teammate in county cricket.
20-year-old Bashir, who made an impression during England’s tour of India, took Leach’s place for the home Test series against the West Indies.
He became the youngest bowler to take five wickets in a home Test when he bowled England to victory in the second Test at Trent Bridge with a 5-41 total.
Regarding Leach, Bashir remarked, “We spoke, and he was ecstatic for me.”
It makes sense that Leachy is joining the Somerset squad before me. He’s a class spinner and has played a lot more cricket than I have. He’s taught me a lot of things.
“I’m just thankful for everything because over the last few years, a lot of things have happened for myself personally.”
Leach, a left-armer, has taken 126 wickets in 36 Test matches for England.
However, the 33-year-old, who has Crohn’s disease, has had difficulty staying in shape over the last 12 months. Due to a back injury, he missed the entire home Ashes series. Later, during the first Test match against India, he sustained a leg injury and missed the rest of the series.
Despite having only played six first-class matches, Bashir was picked for the India tour and took two five-wicket hauls in three games.
Earlier this summer, Bashir, who is still behind Leach in the Somerset hierarchy, went on loan to Worcestershire to compete in the County Championship.
In the opening Test match at Lord’s, where he made his England home debut, the West Indies were easily defeated, so he was spared from bowling.
For the first time since 2006, he bowled in a home Test match in Nottingham, making history as the first spinner to take five wickets at Trent Bridge.
Leach, according to Bashir, advised him to “enjoy” the experience.
It doesn’t get better than a home crowd, Bashir continued. “That’s just so special to make a home debut.”
Although Bashir’s domestic record is modest (he averages 77 with the ball in the County Championship this summer), his skills and qualities have been recognised by England as a Test bowler.
He is exceptionally tall for a spinner at 6 feet 4 inches, and his release point of 2.35 meters is the third-highest for a slow bowler in Test cricket history. During the Australia Ashes tour in 2025–2026, England hopes this will be a particularly useful weapon on their hard, bouncey pitches.
“It’s a nice attribute to have, being a 6ft 4in spinner,” stated Bashir. “The bounce does help if you land the ball in the right spots because some will bounce and some will skid on.
There is constantly a learning curve. I just need to keep putting in a lot of effort and remain thankful for everything that has been given to me. I’m still growing and learning.
With an unquestionable 2-0 lead over the West Indies, England will look to sweep the series 3-0 at Edgbaston starting on Friday.
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