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The English side has kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by selecting slow bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve together with five seamers

Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Perth on the weekend, with the ultimate choice probably involving the young spinner and seamer Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four main pacers along with multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the fastest group of seamers they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

Recently WA wicket preparer the curator said to expect "speed and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the English will follow a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

Yet the English team have also observed a arid quality to the pitch, placing the spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of the ground - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The English management have favored Bashir, twenty-two, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in spring he achieved the least experienced English bowler to reach 50 wickets in Tests

Yet he has been absent from a first-class game after taking the concluding scalp in a dramatic victory over India in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Challenges

He has been recovering from a hand problem and struggled in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, recording overall statistics of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

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

His deal at Somerset ended at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

However, an England team including Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - every one of them are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - remains the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and live action clips available

England Squad

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

Team Background

Even though a various English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The side that triumphed at domestically in the celebrated contest of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in those seasons contained Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - the visitors are looking to overturn an poor history - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since over a decade ago

Only five members of the 16-man squad have participated in a Test match in Australia, but the bowler comments that could help the visitors

"It could be an benefit," he told the press

"There are a lot of players who have stated they have had some tough times in this country

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, very positive squad

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The Australian practice session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The home side are probably going to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Doggett also being included following injuries to captain Cummins and teammate Hazlewood