Bashir rewarded for displays during Worcestershire loan with England call-up

SPIN bowler Shoaib Bashir has been rewarded for his displays during his brief loan spell at Worcestershire by becoming one of the several shock call-ups for England's squad to face the West Indies.

Bashir, who has spent the past month on loan at Worcestershire, has come into the test side ahead of Jack Leach, who is one of several big-name omissions from the squad.

But the England call-up comes just days after Bashir conceded a joint-highest first-class record of 38 runs in an over to Dan Lawrence in the match between Surrey and Worcestershire.

He will now play a part in the first two test matches of the three-match test series against the West Indies, which will take place in July at Lord's and Edgbaston.

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The third test will take place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, with the squad yet to be announced.

The ECB Managing Director for England Men's Cricket, Rob Key, said: "We are looking forward to getting the season underway against a strong West Indies side in what will be an excellent Test series.”

Bashir was handed his England debut in India in February, taking 17 wickets in three tests.

His impressive display in his surprise debut showing also included two five-wicket hauls.

The 20-year-old's inclusion in the latest squad at the expense of Leach comes as a surprise, with the duo being former teammates at Somerset and Bashir unable to dislodge Leach in the pecking order.

He was forced to go on loan to Worcestershire seeking first-team cricket on June 7, signing up for the club's next five Vitality Blast fixtures and the Championship fixture against Surrey.

He made his debut for Worcestershire in a T20 Blast game against Nottinghamshire later that day, picking up two wickets but ending up on the losing side.

Alan Richardson, Worcestershire’s head coach, described Bashir as a player of 'immense talent and potential.'

Former Worcestershire seamer Dillon Pennington, who left for Nottinghamshire earlier this year, has also been selected to make his test debut for England.

As well as Leach, who was dropped for Bashir, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes are the other two high-profile names axed by England head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes as they carried out major surgery on their squad.

The move comes as the duo look to rebuild the team ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes series against Australia.