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England have left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by naming spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve together with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the final decision likely between off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder the captain - it would arguably be the fastest group of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes Test in the host nation

On Wednesday local groundsman McDonald stated to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it seems likely England will follow a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

However the tourists have also observed a arid quality to the wicket, putting the spinner into contention

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five prior matches have been played here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have supported the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in recent months he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach 50 wickets in international Tests

Yet he has been absent from a first-class game since securing the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over India in the third Test at the famous ground in summer

Current Concerns

Bashir has been recovering from a broken finger and had challenges in the single preparation match against the development squad, recording overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This creates the possibility of Bashir competing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a domestic team

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

Probable Team

Still, an England team containing Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The opening match commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features provided

Team Selection

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

Team Background

Even though a number of successful Ashes campaigns at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the same team

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

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that triumphed in 1954-55 contained Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent memory - the visitors are aiming to overturn an awful record - they have not won a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have played a Test in Australia, but Atkinson states that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an benefit," he explained to reporters

"There are a many cricketers who have stated they have had difficult experiences down under

"For us, we are a very relaxed, very positive group

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to do something special"

Host Team Situation

The host team's training on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

Australia are likely to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also joining due to health issues to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood