England Include Shoaib Bashir in Team for The Ashes series Opener

The tourists have maintained flexibility for the series opener by naming off-spinner Bashir in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers

Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the final decision probably coming down to the young spinner and fast bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have used in an Ashes Test in this country

Earlier this week local groundsman McDonald said to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it seems likely England will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the tourists have also observed a arid quality to the pitch, bringing the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five prior matches have been played here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29

The English management have backed Bashir, 22, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in recent months he became the most youthful English bowler to reach 50 wickets in international Tests

But he has missed a competitive game since securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the third Test at the famous ground in July

Recent Challenges

He has been suffering from a finger injury and had challenges in the sole practice game against England Lions, returning overall statistics of 2-151 from 24 overs

This presents the possibility of the spinner playing in an Ashes match without being attached to a county

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

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an England team including Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching 90mph - continues to be the expected conclusion

The first Test begins at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights accessible

England Squad

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

Team Background

While a several England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The team that succeeded at in England in the memorable competition of that year included Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the England team that succeeded in that period featured Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - the visitors are hoping to overturn an poor history - they have failed to win a Test match in Australia since over a decade ago

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

"This might be an benefit," he explained to media outlets

"There are a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had some tough times down under

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

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

The Australian practice session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

The hosts are expected to give a debut to batsman Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Brendan Doggett also joining following injuries to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood