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England have left decisions open for the series opener by naming off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Perth on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly involving off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

Should England choose an all-pace attack - four main pacers plus all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in the host nation

On Wednesday Western Australia pitch curator McDonald stated to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the English will follow a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the English team have also noted a arid quality to the wicket, placing the off-spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of this venue - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australian off-spinner Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have backed Shoaib, 22, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in spring he achieved the most youthful English bowler to achieve 50 wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a first-class game after claiming the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the third match at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

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

It also raises the scenario of the spinner participating in an Ashes match without being contracted with a county

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

Probable Team

However, an English side featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90mph - continues to be the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

England Squad

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been founded on quick bowling, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that succeeded at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in those seasons included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are looking to change an difficult past - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since 2011

Only five members of the sixteen-player group have participated in a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could work in England's favour

"This might be an positive," he told the press

"We've seen a numerous athletes who have stated they have had challenging periods in this country

"For us, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident squad

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

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

Australian Preparations

Australia's training on recently was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are expected to give a debut to batsman Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Doggett also coming in due to health issues to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood