England have added Matthew Potts and Shoaib Bashir to their squad for the final Ashes Test in Sydney, with the playing eleven set to be decided after assessing pitch conditions.
03 January, 2026
England have named Matthew Potts and Shoaib Bashir in a 12-member squad for the final match of the The Ashes, scheduled to be played in Sydney. The announcement comes as England look to manage their bowling resources ahead of the concluding Test of the series.
According to team officials, the final decision on the playing eleven will be taken after closely examining pitch conditions at the venue. England are currently dealing with the absence of several key fast bowlers, including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Gus Atkinson, which has opened the door for Potts to potentially feature in the match.
Team management believes that squad flexibility will be important given the workload of bowlers over the course of the series. The inclusion of Bashir also provides England with an additional spin option, should conditions favor turn as the match progresses.
The fifth and final Test of the series will begin on Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia have already secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, meaning the final match will not affect the overall result but remains significant in terms of pride, preparation, and individual performances.
England will be aiming to finish the tour on a positive note, while selectors are also expected to closely monitor player form and fitness as part of their longer-term planning in Test cricket
