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The tourists have left decisions open for the series opener by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a twelve-player team together with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and is expected to participate against Australia in Western Australia on the weekend, with the ultimate choice probably between spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers combined with all-rounder Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have deployed in an Test against Australia in Australia

Earlier this week local groundsman McDonald stated to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the English will adhere to a established strategy of an exclusively pace attack

But the English team have also noted a dryness to the surface, placing the spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of this venue - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The team have supported Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to reach fifty wickets in Test matches

But he has been absent from a competitive game after claiming the concluding scalp in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been out with a hand problem and struggled in the sole practice game against the Lions, returning combined figures of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

This creates the possibility of Bashir competing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a county

His deal at his county concluded at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an English side featuring Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are capable of reaching 90mph - remains the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features available

Playing Group

England squad for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Although a number of English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that succeeded at domestically in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes included Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons featured Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent years - the visitors are looking to overturn an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test match in the host country since that year

Only five members of the extended squad have played a Test match in the host nation, but the bowler says that could help the visitors

"It could be an positive," he told the press

"There are a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences down under

"For us, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic group

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

The Australian training on this week was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

The hosts are expected to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in after fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood