Shoaib Bashir revealed he has spent much of his first few weeks at Derbyshire in the nets as he looks to give himself every chance of reclaiming his spot as England’s first-choice spinner this summer.
Despite being England’s only frontline spinner in Australia, Bashir was overlooked during last winter’s 4-1 defeat, with all-rounder Will Jacks offering the point of difference to the pacemen in four Tests.
While Bashir is pragmatic about the snub, he is leaving no stone unturned with his new county, having moved to the Central Co-op County Ground on a two-year deal after rejecting a new Somerset contract.
“I’m always looking to learn,” the 22-year-old said. “I’m still so young and I don’t take that for granted at all. I keep working hard. It’s nice to live close to the ground so I can pop in whenever.
“I’m doing extra all the time; batting, bowling indoors. Even if I can get a net outdoors, I’ll come on my own and just bowl in the net because I’m so eager to develop and learn.
“I’ve got a massive ambition to play for England. It’s the most special thing and the most honourable thing that you can do, so I’ll do anything in my powers to try and improve.”
Derbyshire head coach Mickey Arthur, who has overseen Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, waxed lyrical about his new arrival, at one point exuberantly describing him as a “national treasure”.
While pointing out there will be ups and downs for Bashir, Arthur, whose side begin their Rothesay County Championship campaign on Friday against Worcestershire, believes he has a gem on his hands.
“I’ve been very fortunate to see a lot of spinners, some in the subcontinent, I haven’t seen a spinner that is as consistent as what Shoaib is at the same age,” Arthur said.
“The growth is going to be massive and what we do is give them the roots to grow and the wings to fly. From what I’ve seen with Shoaib, the world is going to be his oyster.”
Bashir was plucked from obscurity by England two years ago and claimed 68 wickets in 19 Tests, backed by the management despite inconsistent displays and Jack Leach being preferred to him at Somerset.
His 6ft 4in frame and overspin on bouncy Australian pitches meant he had long been earmarked for the Ashes to try to replicate Nathan Lyon, who himself had a peripheral role before succumbing to injury.
England captain Ben Stokes insisted during the series Bashir, the youngest England men’s bowler to take a five-wicket haul, remains his number one spinner, with Jacks preferred to bolster the batting.
“Obviously it was very situational and the team was selected on a game-to-game basis and spin didn’t play a massive part in the Ashes,” Bashir said.
“I’m in communication with the England management a lot and I definitely feel that they’re keeping an eye on me and seeing how I’m improving and tracking the things that I’m learning.”
After warming the bench and carrying drinks in Australia, Bashir, whose last England appearance was nine months ago after breaking a finger on his non-bowling hand against India, flew out to Zimbabwe for a specialist camp with former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.
“I just wanted to get some time to spend with him and, honestly, I learned a lot,” Bashir said of the link-up with Mushtaq, who was part of England’s coaching staff at the Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe.
“I only spent a week with him and I learned a lot about my action, really small technical tweaks that have helped me in pre-season. I’m looking forward to working on those because I feel like they will make a massive difference.”
PA
