England have backed Shoaib Bashir to start the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, naming the off-spinner in a 12-man squad for Thursday and leaving him expected to take his place in the XI. The 22-year-old is on course to open the series as England's first-choice spinner, a role he has kept despite a long spell out of the side.

That is the latest step in a comeback that began when Bashir returned to fitness in time for the Ashes tour after breaking a finger in the third Test against India last July. He had not played for England since that match at Lord's, when he took the final wicket to seal the win on this ground even after suffering the injury.

His selection matters because it confirms where England have landed after a winter in which he was left out for the whole Ashes series, even as the management said they firmly believed in him as an international cricketer. Bashir has now played 19 Tests for England and taken 68 wickets, and his rise has continued through a move from Somerset to Derbyshire at the end of last season, where he has taken 15 wickets in six County Championship matches this summer.

Brendon McCullum said England remain hugely confident and optimistic about Bashir, arguing that the spinner needs more opportunities after the benefits of regular match practice. McCullum also said the decision in Australia was shaped by conditions rather than Bashir's bowling action or form, with England and Australia both judging the pitches unsuitable for spin.

The only real uncertainty left is the balance of the attack around him. Uncapped seamer Sonny Baker is also in the squad and could compete with Gus Atkinson for the final pace slot, while the rest of England's 12 are Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson. Unless England make a late change, Bashir has done enough to hold the spinner's job and walk out at Lord's on Thursday as the man they have chosen to lead their spin plans.