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The English side has maintained flexibility for the series opener by naming off-spinner Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the last selection probably coming down to the young spinner and fast bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four main pacers along with multi-skilled player the captain - it would possibly be the quickest collection of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week Western Australia pitch curator McDonald stated to expect "pace and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

However the English team have also noted a dryness to the surface, putting the spinner into the running

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The team have favored Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in spring he became the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Tests

But he has not played a competitive game after securing the final wicket 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 struggled in the single preparation match against England Lions, posting overall statistics of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

It also raises the possibility of Bashir playing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a first-class side

His deal at his county concluded at the end of the home summer

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an visiting team including Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching 90 miles per hour - remains the probable result

The opening match commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and real-time features available

England Squad

England squad for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Although a several English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that succeeded at domestically in the memorable competition of that year contained Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that triumphed in 1954-55 contained Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are aiming to overturn an difficult past - they have failed to win a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Only five members of the extended squad have participated in a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson says that could benefit the English team

"It could be an advantage," he explained to reporters

"We've seen a lot of players who have stated they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, very positive squad

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

Australia's net session on recently was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

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