Photo: Collected

SYDNEY, Jan 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Seamer Matthew Potts and spinner Shoaib Bashir were included in a 12-man England squad Friday for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia, with a final decision on who gets the nod likely after a better look at the wicket.

Potts is the only unused seamer from the tourists' original 16-man squad and gets his chance after Gus Atkinson limped off with a hamstring issue in the fourth Test at Melbourne.

Fellow quicks Jofra Archer and Mark Wood have similarly succumbed to injury. Wood (knee) only played the first Test in Perth while Archer was ruled out after the third Test in Adelaide with a side strain.

Bashir was considered England's top tweaker when they arrived, but has yet to play with spinning all-rounder Will Jacks preferred. Australia lead the five-Test series 3-1.

England squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue