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The English side has left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by including spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five fast bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate against Australia in Perth on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice probably between spinner Bashir and seamer the seamer

Pitch Conditions

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers along with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer the curator said to anticipate "pace and bounce" from the surface at the stadium, and it looks possible the English will stick to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

But the tourists have also noted a lack of moisture to the wicket, placing Bashir into contention

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of this venue - five previous Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The English management have supported Bashir, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in recent months he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain half-century of wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a official match following claiming the last dismissal in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been recovering from a finger injury and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

It also raises the prospect of him playing in an Ashes match without being contracted with a first-class side

The agreement at his county ended at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

However, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90mph - remains the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, expert analysis and real-time features provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a several England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The side that succeeded at in England in the famous series of that year contained Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

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

Modern Context

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Test series in modern times - the English team are looking to change an difficult past - they have not won a five-day game in Australia since that year

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

"This could represent an benefit," he told reporters

"We've seen a lot of players who have said they have had some tough times down under

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

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

Australia's practice session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are likely to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also being included following injuries to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood