The Ashes, AUS vs ENG: Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Potts included as England announce squad for 5th Test

New Delhi: England have announced a 12-member squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The visitors have included Matthew Potts in the team, who didn't play any matches on the tour.

Potts is set to feature in the series finale after pacer Gus Atkinson was ruled out of the Ashes with a hamstring injury picked up in the fourth Test, which the Ben Stokes and Co. won to make it 3-1. After a spicy pitch at the MCG that contributed to a two-day finish in the fourth Test, the visitors expect a flatter surface at the SCG.

The England management usually announces the team 48 hours before the Test match, but they have been a bit cautious on this tour due to uncertainty over conditions. The visitors also announced a 12-member squad for the opening Ashes Test in Perth, and opted for an all-pace attack, leaving Shoaib Bashir out.

He is expected to be left out again as the rain is scheduled for the opening two days of the match, and the conditions might help the fast bowlers. Potts made all his Test appearances after Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over the charge in 2022. He picked up 20 wickets at an average of 28 in first five Test matches.

Speaking to media on Friday at the SCG, Zak Crawly praised the pacer, saying that if Potts gets picked in the team, he deserves it.

"Every time I face him he impresses me. He's got the heart of a lion, a lot of skill, and if he gets the nod this week, he thoroughly deserves it," Crawley said.

Now, Potts has a chance to help the visitors clinch another consolation win on the tour. The Aussies have already retained the urn after winning the first three games of the five-match Test series.

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Ben Stokes (capt), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.