Stokes first spotted Bashir in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, bowling in his first-class debut in June of last year to England’s all-time leading run-scorer, Sir Alastair Cook. Stokes then shared the video in a WhatsApp group with McCullum and England managing director Rob Key.
“The ceiling for Bashir is so high,” Cook told Test Match Special. “You’ve got to bowl to learn your craft, but what we’re seeing is him learning on the job and still delivering the goods.
“He’s nowhere near the finished article, and what will be funny is in 10 years’ time, if he’s still playing, he’ll look back and think ‘cor, I wasn’t very good then’, and yet he’s still doing the job for England.”
Bashir’s 24 wickets is the third-most in the first five Tests by an England spinner since World War Two, behind Nick Cook and Graeme Swann.
Bashir himself had not been to Trent Bridge before he played for England in Nottingham.
After England set West Indies 385 to win or four sessions to bat for a draw, Bashir spearheaded the tear through the tourists, who were bowled out in 36.1 overs after tea on Sunday.
“It was the first time I have bowled for England in England and it was so special to finish it in a session,” Bashir told Test Match Special.
“I’m the youngest in the group, everyone gets around me. I’m still trying to soak everything in, that innings went so quickly.”
England have named an unchanged squad for Friday’s third Test at Edgbaston, where they will aim for a 3-0 clean sweep.
