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The tourists have kept their options open for the series opener by naming slow bowler Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five seamers

Mark Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate against Australia in Western Australia on Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly coming down to spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four specialists along with all-rounder Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes match in this country

On Wednesday WA wicket preparer the curator stated to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the stadium, and it appears probable England will stick to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

However the English team have also spotted a dryness to the surface, placing Bashir into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five prior matches have been played here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

The team have favored the young spinner, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in May he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Tests

However he has been absent from a first-class game after securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in July

Current Concerns

The spinner has been suffering from a hand problem and found it difficult in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning match figures of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

This creates the prospect of the spinner playing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a domestic team

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

Expected Selection

Still, an England team containing Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - stays the expected conclusion

The initial game begins at early morning GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, expert analysis and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

England squad for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

While a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The side that won at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes featured Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that succeeded in that period contained Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in modern times - the English team are hoping to reverse an poor history - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago

Just five players of the 16-man squad have participated in a Test match in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an positive," he told the press

"There are a numerous athletes who have said they have had some tough times in this country

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

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to create history"

Opposition News

The Australian net session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The home side are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Doggett also joining following injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood