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England have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting slow bowler Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five seamers

The fast bowler is declared fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Perth on the coming Friday, with the final decision likely involving the young spinner and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four main pacers plus multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the quickest collection of bowlers they have used in an Ashes Test in this country

On Wednesday WA pitch curator the curator commented to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will adhere to a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

But the English team have also noted a lack of moisture to the pitch, placing the spinner into consideration

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of the ground - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The team have supported Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in recent months he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

Yet he has missed a first-class game following securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Current Concerns

The spinner has been suffering from a hand problem and found it difficult in the single preparation match against the development squad, returning combined figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

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

The agreement at the domestic team expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

Still, an visiting team featuring Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - all of whom are capable of reaching 90mph - stays the probable result

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights accessible

England Squad

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

While a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that won at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in 1954-55 contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are looking to overturn an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test match in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have participated in a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors

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

"There have been a lot of players who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences down under

"For us, we are a quite calm, very positive group

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to create history"

Australian Preparations

Australia's net session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The hosts are likely to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also being included following fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood