Streetwise Bashir has X factor to become an instant hit

ANOTHER DAY, another insight into the world of this England's selection policy. We knew, of course, about the hunches and the punts, the releasepoints and the straight-to-the-points. Ashes, Moeen? Lol.

- Malik Ouzia

What we did not know, however, was that X, the forum once known as Twitter, where you and I go for our Peep Show memes, election interference and to keep tabs on that ginger chap running across Africa, is also where England now find their Test match spinners.

"The first time I saw him was on Twitter," Ben Stokes said yesterday of the uncapped Shoaib Bashir, who was this morning handed an international debut as England announced their team for the Second Test against India. “I think the County Championship account put a little clip together of him bowling against Sir Alastair Cook.

"I did forward the clip on and said: 'Have a look at this, this could be something we work with on our India tour'.