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England have left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by naming spin bowler Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Western Australia on the coming Friday, with the last selection possibly involving off-spinner Bashir and seamer Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would potentially be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes Test in Australia

Recently Western Australia groundsman McDonald stated to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

However the English team have also spotted a dryness to the wicket, placing the spinner into consideration

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

England have backed Shoaib, 22, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in recent months he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

However he has been absent from a competitive game following securing the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

Bashir has been recovering from a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against the Lions, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the possibility of the spinner playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a county

The agreement at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

Nevertheless, an England team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the expected conclusion

The initial game starts at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights available

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The side that succeeded at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 featured Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that triumphed in 1954-55 included Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent memory - the visitors are hoping to change an awful record - they have failed to win a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Only five members of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but the bowler says that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an benefit," he explained to reporters

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

"Regarding our team, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident group

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

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

Australia are likely to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Doggett also being included due to health issues to captain Cummins and colleague Hazlewood