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England have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by naming off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five fast bowlers

Wood is declared fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice probably coming down to spinner Bashir and seamer Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four main pacers plus multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the fastest group of seamers they have fielded in an Ashes match in the host nation

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer McDonald commented to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the venue, and it looks possible the tourists will adhere to a established strategy of an exclusively pace attack

But the tourists have also noted a dryness to the pitch, placing the off-spinner into consideration

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have favored Bashir, 22, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in spring he achieved the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Test matches

However he has been absent from a first-class game after taking the last dismissal in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a hand problem and found it difficult in the sole practice game against the Lions, recording combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

This creates the possibility of him participating in an Ashes Test without being attached to a first-class side

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

Probable Team

Nevertheless, an English side containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - each of whom are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the most likely outcome

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

Playing Group

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

While a various successful Ashes campaigns at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that succeeded at in England in the famous series of 2005 Ashes featured Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the English side that triumphed in those seasons contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in modern times - England are aiming to change an difficult past - they have not won a Test match in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the 16-man squad have participated in a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson states that could benefit the English team

"This might be an positive," he mentioned to reporters

"There have been a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had challenging periods down under

"Regarding our team, we are a extremely composed, very positive squad

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to do something special"

Australian Preparations

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

The home side are expected to give a debut to batsman Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Brendan Doggett also being included due to fitness concerns to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood