Bashir left out of warm-up in England Test hint

England have potentially dropped a hint to their plans for the first Ashes Test by leaving spinner Shoaib Bashir out of the XI for their only warm-up match.

The tourists have named four frontline pace bowlers alongside all-rounder Ben Stokes in their attack for the three-day match against England Lions at Lilac Hill.

Spin has had a diminished role in Tests played in Australia over the past 10 years and Optus Stadium, the venue for the first Test, is particularly suited to seam bowlers.

In what could be close to the XI for the Ashes opener, fast bowler Mark Wood plays his first cricket since February following knee surgery.

Brydon Carse misses the opening day through illness, so his place in the England team has been taken by Josh Tongue. Carse has been named in the Lions' 13-man side, so could join the game later.

As expected, Ollie Pope will bat at number three for England, leaving him in pole position to fill the same role in the first Test. Jacob Bethell is at three for the Lions, who are batting first.

Score updates from Lilac Hill can be found here (external site).