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England have maintained flexibility for the series opener by including off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the last selection probably coming down to spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the quickest collection of bowlers they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer the curator said to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will follow a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the tourists have also spotted a arid quality to the surface, placing the spinner into contention

Spinning Options

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

England have supported Bashir, 22, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in recent months he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Test matches

However he has missed a first-class game after claiming the last dismissal in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been suffering from a finger injury and struggled in the sole practice game against the Lions, returning overall statistics of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

It also raises the scenario of him participating in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a first-class side

His contract at the domestic team concluded at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an English side including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, leader Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - continues to be the probable result

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, expert analysis and real-time features provided

Team Selection

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, 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 same team

The side that triumphed at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in those years had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the English side that succeeded in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in modern times - the English team are looking to reverse an awful record - they have failed to win a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have played a Test in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could benefit the English team

"It could be an benefit," he told the press

"There are a lot of players who have stated they have had some tough times down under

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, very positive team

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

Australia's net session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

The hosts are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also joining after fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood