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The tourists have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by including off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five seamers

Mark Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the last selection likely between the young spinner and fast bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would arguably be the quickest collection of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes Test in the host nation

On Wednesday local wicket preparer McDonald said to expect "pace and bounce" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the English will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the tourists have also spotted a dryness to the wicket, putting Bashir into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australia off-spinner the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in recent months he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a official match since taking the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the third match at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been recovering from a hand problem and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, recording overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the possibility of the spinner participating in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a first-class side

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

Probable Team

However, an visiting team including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - remains the expected conclusion

The opening match commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and real-time features accessible

England Squad

Team lineup for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

While a number of England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that triumphed at domestically in the famous series of 2005 contained Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in modern times - England are aiming to change an poor history - they have not won a Test match in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have participated in a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour

"It could be an benefit," he told media outlets

"We've seen a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had some tough times in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic squad

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The host team's practice session on this week was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The home side are likely to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also being included due to fitness concerns to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood