Shoaib Bashir, England’s leading spin bowler in the past year and a half, appears set to part ways with Somerset after this summer, looking to secure more regular cricket outside of his international commitments.
Although Bashir has cemented his place as England’s top spinner, featuring in the last 15 Test matches and earning the player of the match accolade in the recent win against Zimbabwe, his presence in Somerset’s line-up has been limited. The team has often preferred Jack Leach’s left-arm spin and Archie Vaughan’s all-round talents in their County Championship squad.
Last season, Bashir only appeared in four Championship games and one 50-over match for Somerset, even spending time on loan to Worcestershire before the Test series began. Currently, he’s had a short stint with Glamorgan, taking two wickets across three Championship games, albeit at a considerable cost, and has not featured in Somerset’s T20 Blast strategy.
Despite signing a two-year contract extension with Somerset in 2023, ESPNcricinfo understands there are no ongoing talks for a renewal. Bashir, while appreciative of Leach’s mentoring, acknowledged his unique predicament, commenting, “It’s hard to fit two of us [in the side], especially at the start of the year.”
With the opening of county cricket’s effective transfer window, players in their contract’s final year can engage with other clubs for upcoming seasons. While no official approaches have been made, Surrey, given Bashir’s history there in age-group cricket, alongside Warwickshire and Worcestershire, are seen as possible destinations.
As Bashir holds a central contract with the ECB, any new county deal wouldn’t involve an immediate salary, instead offering a ‘shadow’ contract. This arrangement outlines his pay should his central contract lapse, a common practice for England players.
Graeme Swann, who witnessed significant career development after switching from Northamptonshire to Nottinghamshire, has previously advocated for Bashir’s departure from Somerset to further his bowling career. Swann remarked to talkSPORT last year, “Long-term, if the ECB can just say, ‘Look, this is bonkers. He’s the best spinner in England. If you’re not going to play him, then you have to let him go and play for someone else.’”
Meanwhile, in T20 Blast news, Surrey might bring in Adam Zampa as temporary cover. Zampa, who won’t play for the Oval Invincibles this year due to Australian duties, could stand in for Mitchell Santner during New Zealand’s T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe in July.
Additionally, Todd Murphy is set for a brief stint in the County Championship. Having played seven Tests for Australia, he has recently dropped behind Matt Kuhnemann as Nathan Lyon’s back-up. Murphy’s upcoming schedule includes four matches for an undisclosed county in June and July, following his unexpected withdrawal from an Australia A tour of Sri Lanka.
