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England have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by including off-spinner Bashir in a 12-man squad together with five pace bowlers

Wood is declared fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on the weekend, with the last selection likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four specialists plus all-rounder Stokes - it would possibly be the fastest group of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes match in this country

Recently WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald said to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the English team have also spotted a lack of moisture to the surface, placing the spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of the ground - five prior matches have been staged here - Australia off-spinner the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

The English management have supported the young spinner, 22, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in May he became the youngest England bowler to attain 50 wickets in Tests

However he has not played a competitive game since securing the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Challenges

He has been out with a hand problem and struggled in the sole practice game against England Lions, recording match figures of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

This presents the scenario of the spinner playing in an Ashes Test without being contracted with a first-class side

The agreement at his county concluded at the end of the home summer

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an England team containing Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - remains the most likely outcome

The opening match begins at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, expert analysis and live action clips accessible

England Squad

England squad for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The lineup that succeeded at domestically in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent years - the English team are aiming to overturn an awful record - they have failed to win a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Just five players of the extended squad have played a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an benefit," he mentioned to the press

"We've seen a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had some tough times here in Australia

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

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"We all see it as a great possibility to do something special"

Opposition News

Australia's net session on this week was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

The home side are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included after injuries to captain Cummins and teammate Hazlewood