The English team Select the off-spinner in Team for Ashes First Test

The English side has left decisions open for the series opener by naming off-spinner Bashir in a twelve-player team together with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Perth on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with multi-skilled player Stokes - it would potentially be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have fielded in an Test against Australia in the host nation

On Wednesday WA groundsman McDonald commented to look for "pace and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it seems likely England will adhere to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the English team have also spotted a arid quality to the pitch, bringing the spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of the ground - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

England have backed the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in recent months he achieved the youngest England bowler to achieve 50 wickets in Tests

But he has not played a first-class game since taking the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Issues

Bashir has been out with a broken finger and found it difficult in the sole practice game against England Lions, posting combined figures of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

This presents the scenario of the spinner participating in an Ashes Test without being attached to a first-class side

His deal at his county expired at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

However, an English side including Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The opening match starts at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features accessible

England Squad

England squad for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

While a several England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that won at in England in the memorable competition of 2005 featured Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in 1954-55 featured Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent years - England are aiming to change an poor history - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since that year

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

"This might be an advantage," he mentioned to the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had some tough times in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, extremely confident squad

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to create history"

Australian Preparations

Australia's training on recently was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

The home side are expected to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Doggett also coming in after health issues to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood