Brendon McCullum confirms huge Ashes squad decision and reveals Harry Brook dilemma

Brendon McCullum has confirmed that Shoaib Bashir will be England's first-choice spinner at the start of the Ashes - and revealed that he's considering changing his vice-captain. Bashir, 21, has come in for some criticism since making his Test debut last year, but McCullum and England's selectors have remained loyal to him.

The Somerset right-hander has taken 68 Test wickets at a modest average of 39 runs across his 19 appearances, and he was unavailable for England's last two matches against India this summer after fracturing his left finger. But Bashir will be heading Down Under as part of England's squad and playing XI, with only his back-up - likely either Liam Dawson or Reham Ahmed - still to be decided.

"We need to have a little bit of communication around that, work out exactly what that role is, where we see there may be an opportunity," McCullum told Test Match Special. "It may only be in one Test, or if something happens to Shoaib Bashir.

"We need to finesse that a little bit. Outside of that, I'd say we're pretty certain of what we want."

But one significant change in the squad could see gun batter Harry Brook take over the vice-captaincy role from the versatile Ollie Pope. Brook was installed as England's white-ball captain by McCullum earlier this year, and he's been tipped to eventually become Ben Stokes' successor and lead the Test side.

READ MORE: Cricket star issues update after horror injury saw Hundred match suspended

READ MORE: Shane Warne's son reveals for first time the moment he heard his dad had died

Pope has led the team on five occasions, including when an injured Stokes was ruled out of August's dramatic final meeting with India. McCullum, speaking as his side's third T20 game against South Africa was washed out, revealed that England will 'work on' the identity of their vice-captain ahead of the Ashes.

"You're always looking at things, right?" the former New Zealand captain explained. "Every time you get together with a series, you discuss things.

"It's no secret that Harry Brook is emerging as a leader within English cricket, and so that's something we need to work out. But whatever happens, a great team understands that just because you haven't got a title, doesn't stop you from being a leader."

Should Harry Book be England's vice-captain for the Ashes? Let us know your pick in the comments section.

Stokes' fitness is another major talking point going into the hotly-anticipated series which gets underway in Perth on November 21. England's captain was outstanding with the ball and impactful with the bat against India, with his all-round skills and leadership now needed more than ever.

McCullum says that England will have a 'few options' if the injury-prone Stokes goes down again. "There is a multitude of things which could unfold if that was to happen," the Kiwi added.

"We have a few thoughts in our head. We all hope it won't, but it may well do so we have a few options up our sleeve."