The English team Select Shoaib Bashir in Line-up for The Ashes series First Test

England have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by naming spin bowler Bashir in a twelve-player team together with five pace bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the last selection likely between off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four main pacers combined with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes Test in Australia

On Wednesday local groundsman McDonald said to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the wicket at the stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the visitors have also spotted a arid quality to the wicket, putting Bashir into consideration

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have favored Shoaib, twenty-two, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in recent months he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to achieve 50 wickets in Test matches

But he has not played a official match since securing the last dismissal in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in July

Current Concerns

He has been recovering from a hand problem and struggled in the single preparation match against England Lions, recording combined figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

This creates the prospect of the spinner participating in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a first-class side

His deal at Somerset expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Likely Lineup

Still, an visiting team featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - each of whom are able to achieve 90mph - stays the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips accessible

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Smith (wk), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Although a several England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the same team

The side that triumphed at home in the memorable competition of that year featured Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - England are hoping to reverse an poor history - they have failed to win a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have participated in a international Test in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors

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

"There have been a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had challenging periods in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic squad

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"We all see it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

Australia's practice session on recently was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

Australia are expected to give a debut to opener Weatherald, with new pace bowler Doggett also coming in following health issues to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood