England's Shoaib Bashir may already be a Test match-winning bowler but the 20-year-old off-spinner insists he is still learning the tricks of the trade.
The formidable Bashir tore through the West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge, taking 5-41 on Sunday's fourth day as the tourists lost all 10 of their second innings wickets in 23 overs as England cruised to an unbeaten victory by 241 runs. received a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Bashir had only played six first-class games when he was included in the Test team during the tour of India earlier this year and he responded with two five-wicket hauls on famous pitches to help the spinners.
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But his progress was halted at the start of the English county season, with Bashir left out of a Somerset team that featured a more experienced England spinner in Jack Leach.
Shoaib Bashir went out on loan to county rivals Worcestershire in an attempt to get more game time but England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum kept their faith.
Bashir said that a lot has happened in the last few years. I can't get ahead of Leachy at Somerset, understandably he's played a lot more cricket than me.
Jack was over the moon for me (to be selected for England). We had a chat and he told me to just enjoy it. He is a class spinner and I have learned a lot from him. There is always more to learn. I'm only 20 years old, still learning the tricks of the trade.
There is so much to work on in cricket that you never finish. Going on loan was a decision I had to make to play cricket at the highest level, it's part of the journey.
He added: I didn't have high expectations for this game, I'm still trying to understand what happened.
Shoaib Bashir has now taken 24 wickets at an average of 29.83 in five Tests while 16 wickets at an average of 70.68 in 10 domestic first-class matches.
However, England's current selectors are not overly concerned with statistics, with team management pointing to Bashir's height and growth potential, as well as attacking-line bowling qualities that make him a good fit for international cricket.
"Bowling spin is quite difficult in England, but I'm thankful that I'm a 6ft 4in (1.93m) spinner he said.
The extra bounce helps. We saw it here (at Trent Bridge), if you land the ball in the right places, some will bounce and some will skid. I have experienced people on the team who help me decide on the pitch, which lines to bowl, and at what pace.
I'm just grateful to be in the position I'm in. I'm always going to stay grounded, stay humble, and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment I have in an England shirt.
