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England have kept their options open for the series opener by selecting spin bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve together with five pace bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the final decision possibly involving spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers plus multi-skilled player the captain - it would possibly be the fastest group of bowlers they have deployed in an Ashes match in the host nation

On Wednesday Western Australia pitch curator Isaac McDonald said to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will adhere to a established strategy of an exclusively pace attack

But the English team have also observed a lack of moisture to the wicket, putting the off-spinner into the running

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

England have backed Bashir, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in May he became the youngest England bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in Test matches

Yet he has been absent from a competitive game after claiming the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at the famous ground in July

Current Concerns

He has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in the sole practice game against England Lions, recording match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

This creates the prospect of the spinner participating in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a county

His deal at the domestic team ended at the end of the home summer

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an visiting team containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - remains the probable result

The opening match begins at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, expert analysis and real-time features provided

Team Selection

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Smith (wk), Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Even though a several England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that won at in England in the famous series of that year featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in 1954-55 contained Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in modern times - the visitors are looking to reverse an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test in Australia since that year

Just five players of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test in Australia, but the bowler states that could benefit the English team

"This might be an positive," he told media outlets

"We've seen a lot of players who have said they have had challenging periods in this country

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, very positive team

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to do something special"

Australian Preparations

The host team's practice session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The home side are probably going to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Brendan Doggett also joining due to injuries to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood