Somerset have left Shoaib Bashir out of their playing XI for their penultimate County Championship match of the season.
Bashir, who is fit to play again having recovered from a finger injury which ruled him out of the final two Tests against India this summer, hasn't played a first-class fixture for Somerset for a year. He joined Glamorgan on loan in the early part of the season, unable to get into the Somerset spin attack blocked out by fellow England Test player Jack Leach, and all-rounder Archie Vaughan.
The first day of play at Taunton was washed out yesterday (September 15), meaning the playing XI's were not announced until the toss was conducted this morning. Somerset once again opted for the Leach-Vaughan duo to make up their spin attack against Hampshire, leaving no room for Bashir. The 21-year-old has only played in seven Championship matches since making his England debut against India 18 months ago.
Match 110, Somerset vs Hampshire
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Will Shoaib Bashir leave Somerset?
Bashir is reportedly set to leave Somerset at the end of the season, with no talks in place to renew his contract which expires this year. Among potential counties Bashir could go to, Surrey – where he played age-group cricket – are contenders, as are Worcestershire, where Bashir spent a period on loan at the end of last season.
Despite his limited experience in county cricket, with his record currently standing at 18 wickets from 14 games, Bashir has been England's first-choice spinner for over a year, and took 19 wickets in the four Tests he was able to play across England's home summer. Earlier this week, Brendon McCullum confirmed the Bashir would be their first choice spinner in their Ashes XI, despite Liam Dawson winning a call-up in Bashir's absence against India, and Rehan Ahmed's impressive domestic summer.
Bashir's lack of county opportunities have previously been a source of frustration to the England head coach. Speaking after Bashir's debut series in India, McCullum said it would be "slightly mad" not to give Bashir and fellow spin debutant Tom Hartley, more county playing time.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
