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England have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by including off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the last selection possibly coming down to spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists combined with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

Recently WA groundsman McDonald stated to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the venue, and it appears probable England will adhere to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the tourists have also spotted a lack of moisture to the surface, putting Bashir into consideration

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of the ground - five prior matches have been staged here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29

The English management have favored Shoaib, twenty-two, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in spring he became the most youthful English bowler to attain 50 wickets in international Tests

However he has been absent from a first-class game since taking the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at the famous ground in summer

Recent Challenges

He has been recovering from a hand problem and found it difficult in the single preparation match against the development squad, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

It also raises the scenario of Bashir playing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a county

The agreement at his county ended at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

Nevertheless, an English side containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching 90 miles per hour - stays the expected conclusion

The initial game begins at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

England Squad

England squad for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

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

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in those seasons featured Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent years - the visitors are aiming to reverse an awful record - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since over a decade ago

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have experienced a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson states that could work in England's favour

"It could be an positive," he explained to the press

"We've seen a numerous athletes who have stated they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, very positive group

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to create history"

Host Team Situation

The host team's training on this week was briefly delayed by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are probably going to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Brendan Doggett also being included after health issues to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood