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The tourists have kept their options open for the series opener by naming spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve together with five seamers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the final decision possibly coming down to the young spinner and seamer Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers combined with all-rounder the captain - it would arguably be the quickest collection of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

On Wednesday local wicket preparer the curator commented to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will stick to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

However the English team have also observed a arid quality to the surface, bringing Bashir into the running

Spinning Options

In the short history of the ground - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have favored the young spinner, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for since last year and in recent months he achieved the most youthful English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Test matches

Yet he has been absent from a first-class game after taking the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the third match at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been suffering from a finger injury and struggled in the single preparation match against the development squad, recording overall statistics of 2-151 from 24 overs

This presents the scenario of Bashir competing in an Ashes match without being contracted with a first-class side

The agreement at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Likely Lineup

Still, an visiting team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90mph - remains the expected conclusion

The initial game commences at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, specialist radio coverage and live action clips provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Although a several England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The side that succeeded at domestically in the famous series of 2005 contained Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that triumphed in those seasons included Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in modern times - the English team are hoping to overturn an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a Test in Australia since that year

Only five members of the extended squad have participated in a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could benefit the English team

"It could be an advantage," he explained to the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have stated they have had difficult experiences in this country

"For us, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic group

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to do something special"

Australian Preparations

The Australian practice session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are expected to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Doggett also being included following health issues to skipper Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood