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England have kept their options open for the series opener by naming spin bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five seamers

Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Perth on Friday, with the final decision likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and seamer the seamer

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four main pacers along with multi-skilled player the captain - it would potentially be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes Test in Australia

Recently Western Australia wicket preparer McDonald commented to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the venue, and it looks possible the tourists will adhere to a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

However the tourists have also observed a arid quality to the pitch, bringing the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of the ground - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australia off-spinner the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

England have favored Shoaib, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in May he achieved the least experienced English bowler to reach 50 wickets in Test matches

But he has been absent from a first-class game since claiming the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Challenges

He has been suffering from a finger injury and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

This presents the possibility of him competing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a first-class side

The agreement at his county concluded at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

However, an England team including Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90mph - continues to be the probable result

The initial game starts at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, expert analysis and in-play highlights accessible

Team Selection

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

While a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The lineup that won at home in the celebrated contest of that year included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in those seasons included Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent memory - England are hoping to overturn an difficult past - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since 2011

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

"It could be an advantage," he mentioned to reporters

"We've seen a numerous athletes who have said they have had difficult experiences down under

"For us, we are a quite calm, extremely confident group

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to do something special"

Australian Preparations

Australia's practice session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included due to health issues to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood