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The tourists have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a twelve-player team combined with five pace bowlers

Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the final decision likely between spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

Should England choose an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have used in an Ashes Test in this country

On Wednesday local wicket preparer Isaac McDonald said to look for "speed and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it appears probable England will stick to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also spotted a dryness to the pitch, putting the spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The team have supported Shoaib, 22, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in spring he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach fifty wickets in Test matches

Yet he has missed a competitive game after securing the concluding scalp in a dramatic victory over India in the third match at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

He has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in the sole practice game against the development squad, posting match figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This presents the scenario of Bashir participating in an Ashes Test without being attached to a first-class side

The agreement at the domestic team ended at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

However, an England team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the most likely outcome

The first Test starts at early morning GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, expert analysis and in-play highlights provided

England Squad

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Even though a various successful Ashes campaigns at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that won at domestically in the famous series of 2005 contained Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

The captain's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the English side that won in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in modern times - England are aiming to overturn an difficult past - they have not won a Test match in Australia since that year

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have participated in a Test in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could help the visitors

"This might be an benefit," he told the press

"There have been a lot of players who have said they have had difficult experiences down under

"For us, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic group

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to do something special"

Host Team Situation

The Australian net session on recently was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

The hosts are likely to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also coming in following health issues to skipper Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood