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The English side has kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by including slow bowler Shoaib Bashir in a twelve-player team alongside five pace bowlers

Wood has recovered and seems set to play against Australia in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice likely involving spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

On Wednesday Western Australia groundsman Isaac McDonald stated to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will stick to a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

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

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in May he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to reach fifty wickets in Tests

Yet he has not played a official match since claiming the concluding scalp in a dramatic victory over India in the third Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Challenges

He has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in the single preparation match against the development squad, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This presents the scenario of Bashir playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a domestic team

His contract at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

However, an England team containing Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - every one of them are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the expected conclusion

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, expert analysis and live action clips provided

England Squad

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (skipper), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

While a number of England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the same team

The team that succeeded at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to the host nation in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in that period included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent years - the English team are hoping to reverse an poor history - they have failed to win a Test in the host country since over a decade ago

Just five players of the extended squad have played a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors

"This could represent an positive," he mentioned to media outlets

"We've seen a many cricketers who have stated they have had challenging periods down under

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, very positive squad

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

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

Host Team Situation

The Australian net session on recently was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The hosts are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Brendan Doggett also being included following health issues to captain Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood