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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the series opener by selecting off-spinner Bashir in a twelve-player team together with five seamers

The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the final decision probably between off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four main pacers combined with multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

Earlier this week WA groundsman the curator stated to look for "pace and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it appears probable the tourists will stick to a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

But the tourists have also spotted a arid quality to the surface, bringing Bashir into the running

Spin Considerations

In the short history of the ground - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have backed Bashir, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in spring he achieved the most youthful English bowler to reach fifty wickets in international Tests

However he has been absent from a competitive game since taking the final wicket in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in summer

Current Concerns

Bashir has been out with a finger injury and had challenges in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning overall statistics of 2-151 from his bowling spell

This creates the prospect of the spinner competing in an Ashes Test without being contracted with a domestic team

The agreement at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

However, an visiting team including Wood, Archer, Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - continues to be the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, expert analysis and real-time features provided

Team Selection

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

While a number of English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that triumphed at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in that period included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent memory - England are hoping to reverse an difficult past - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since that year

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson says that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an positive," he mentioned to media outlets

"There have been a lot of players who have stated they have had difficult experiences in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic group

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The host team's training on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

Australia are probably going to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Brendan Doggett also joining after fitness concerns to captain Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood