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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 pace bowlers

Mark Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play against Australia in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice probably coming down to off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder Stokes - it would arguably be the fastest group of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week WA pitch curator Isaac McDonald said to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the surface at the stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

Yet the visitors have also spotted a arid quality to the wicket, bringing the off-spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29

England have backed the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in spring he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

However he has missed a official match following securing the last dismissal in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at the famous ground in summer

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a finger injury and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning combined figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

This creates the scenario of Bashir playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a first-class side

His deal at his county expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

However, an English side containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching 90 miles per hour - remains the expected conclusion

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features available

Playing Group

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The lineup that won at in England in the famous series of 2005 contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in 1954-55 featured Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - England are aiming to change an awful record - they have not won a Test in the host country since 2011

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

"This could represent an advantage," he explained to the press

"There are a lot of players who have mentioned they have had some tough times down under

"In our case, we are a quite calm, extremely confident group

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The Australian training on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

The hosts are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Doggett also joining after injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood