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The English side has kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by selecting spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature against Australia in Western Australia on the weekend, with the last selection probably between spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four main pacers plus multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the quickest collection of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes match in Australia

Earlier this week Western Australia groundsman the curator commented to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely England will follow a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

But the tourists have also spotted a arid quality to the surface, putting Bashir into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The team have supported the young spinner, twenty-two, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in spring he became the least experienced English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Test matches

However he has not played a official match following taking the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in July

Current Concerns

Bashir has been out with a hand problem and had challenges in the sole practice game against the Lions, returning match figures of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

It also raises the possibility of him competing in an Ashes Test without being contracted with a county

His contract at Somerset ended at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

Nevertheless, an visiting team including Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are likely to hit 90mph - continues to be the most likely outcome

The initial game starts at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, expert analysis and live action clips accessible

Playing Group

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

Historical Context

Even though a several successful Ashes campaigns at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

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

Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in those years had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that succeeded in those seasons included Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - England are aiming to change an awful record - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since that year

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a Test in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could benefit the English team

"It could be an positive," he explained to media outlets

"There have been a lot of players who have said they have had some tough times here in Australia

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident group

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"We all see it as a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

Australia's practice session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the possibility of bad weather

The hosts are expected to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Doggett also being included after injuries to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood