New Delhi, Nov. 19 -- A shock inclusion of 22-year-old spinner Bashir gives England options, even as they lean toward an all-pace attack for the Perth Test.

England's decision to include 22-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in their 12-man squad for the Ashes opener in Perth marks one of the most intriguing selection calls the team has made in recent memory. On the surface, it appears to be a bold and forward-looking gesture, a willingness to reward potential over experience. Yet inside the high-pressure environment of an Ashes series, where England's selections are scrutinized with forensic precision, the move signals something deeper about the direction of this side under its current leadership.

Bashir, who has played only a handful ...