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The English side has left decisions open for the series opener by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a squad of twelve combined with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Western Australia on the weekend, with the final decision possibly between spinner Bashir and seamer Carse

Ground Situation

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

Recently WA groundsman Isaac McDonald stated to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the pitch at the venue, and it seems likely England will stick to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

Yet the tourists have also observed a lack of moisture to the wicket, placing the off-spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of this venue - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in May he achieved the youngest England bowler to attain half-century of wickets in international Tests

Yet he has missed a competitive game after taking the final wicket in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

He has been suffering from a hand problem and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, returning combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the prospect of Bashir competing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a domestic team

The agreement at his county concluded at the end of the home summer

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an English side featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - continues to be the expected conclusion

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features accessible

Team Selection

Selected players for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wk), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a several England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that triumphed at home in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in that era had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in 1954-55 contained Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in recent years - the English team are looking to reverse an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test match in the host country since that year

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have experienced a Test in Australia, but Atkinson says that could benefit the English team

"It could be an benefit," he explained to the press

"We've seen a many cricketers who have said they have had some tough times in this country

"For us, we are a very relaxed, very positive team

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to create history"

Host Team Situation

The host team's training on recently was briefly delayed by the possibility of bad weather

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