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The English side has left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting off-spinner Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the final decision likely between the young spinner and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week WA pitch curator the curator said to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the wicket at the stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also noted a dryness to the surface, putting the spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of this venue - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with 29

The team have favored Bashir, twenty-two, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in May he achieved the least experienced English bowler to reach 50 wickets in Tests

Yet he has not played a competitive game after securing the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been suffering from a hand problem and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

This presents the possibility of him participating in an Ashes match without being attached to a county

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

Likely Lineup

Still, an England team containing Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90mph - stays the expected conclusion

The first Test starts at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, expert analysis and real-time features accessible

Playing Group

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

While a several successful Ashes campaigns at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have never fielded as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

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

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in that era had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that triumphed in those seasons included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Test series in modern times - the English team are looking to overturn an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test in the host country since that year

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

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

"There are a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences in this country

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic team

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

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

Host Team Situation

The Australian practice session on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

Australia are expected to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Brendan Doggett also being included due to injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood