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The tourists have left decisions open for the series opener by selecting spin bowler the young spinner in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth on Friday, with the final decision possibly between the young spinner and seamer Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers plus multi-skilled player the captain - it would arguably be the fastest group of bowlers they have deployed in an Ashes Test in Australia

Recently Western Australia groundsman McDonald commented to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will follow a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also noted a arid quality to the surface, bringing the spinner into consideration

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have favored the young spinner, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in May he achieved the least experienced English bowler to achieve fifty wickets in Tests

But he has not played a official match since taking the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the third Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been suffering from a hand problem and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning overall statistics of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

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

His contract at the domestic team concluded at the end of the home summer

Likely Lineup

However, an visiting team including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - stays the most likely outcome

The opening match commences at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Although a number of successful Ashes campaigns at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The lineup that succeeded at home in the celebrated contest of that year included Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the English side that won in that period included Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent memory - England are aiming to change an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have participated in a international Test in Australia, but the bowler states that could benefit the English team

"This might be an benefit," he mentioned to the press

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

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident squad

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

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

Australian Preparations

The Australian practice session on this week was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

Australia are expected to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett also being included due to injuries to captain Cummins and teammate Hazlewood