Seamer Matthew Potts is all set to play in the upcoming fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after being named alongside Shoaib Bashir in England’s XII on January 2. Gus Atkinson is the only omission from the team that secured victory in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, having been sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Potts, who has taken 36 wickets at an average of 29.44, is most likely to play his 11th Test, having last featured in December 2024. Historically, the SCG has offered assistance to spinners, which is why England have kept their options open by including Bashir.
Neither Potts nor Bashir has played a single Test on the tour so far. England have been forced to bring Potts into contention as their frontline seam bowling options Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood have all been ruled out. Instead of turning to Matthew Fisher, the selectors have preferred Potts. If selected, the Durham based bowler will join Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue to form the pace-trio.
Will Jacks has failed to make an impact since being picked for the Adelaide Test. The off spin bowling all rounder has edged out specialist spinner Bashir in the playing XI for the last two Tests, and the same could be the case in Sydney as well.
England squad for the fifth Ashes Test:
Ben Stokes (captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Josh Tongue.
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