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The English side has kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by including off-spinner Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five seamers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the last selection probably involving spinner Bashir and seamer Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of seamers they have used in an Test against Australia in this country

Recently WA pitch curator the curator stated to expect "speed and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will follow a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

But the English team have also spotted a arid quality to the surface, bringing the spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have favored Shoaib, 22, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in recent months he achieved the youngest England bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a official match following taking the concluding scalp in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Issues

Bashir has been suffering from a broken finger and struggled in the single preparation match against the development squad, posting combined figures of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

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

His contract at his county expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an visiting team featuring Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90mph - continues to be the probable result

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, expert analysis and in-play highlights provided

Team Selection

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

Past Experience

Even though a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that triumphed at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons featured Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in modern times - England are looking to overturn an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test match in Australia since over a decade ago

Just five players of the extended squad have participated in a Test in the host nation, but Atkinson states that could help the visitors

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

"There are a numerous athletes who have said they have had difficult experiences here in Australia

"For us, we are a extremely composed, very positive team

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

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

The home side are likely to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Brendan Doggett also joining after injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood