Shoaib Bashir: England spinner open to leaving Somerset

Bashir signed a two-year deal with Somerset in 2023, and was then picked for England’s tour of India the following year after playing only six first-class matches.

Despite a modest domestic record – Bashir’s average in the County Championship is 84 – he has thrived for his country under Stokes’ leadership.

He was man of the match in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe last month with career-best match figures of 9-143, which also included Bashir becoming the youngest England man to reach 50 Test wickets.

While he has replaced Leach as England’s number one spinner, Somerset have kept faith with the 33-year-old as their first choice.

Bashir’s route to Somerset’s first XI is further complicated by the emergence of 19-year-old Archie Vaughan, who provides an all-round option with his off-breaks.