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The English side has left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by naming spin bowler Bashir 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 Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the last selection possibly coming down to spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder Stokes - it would arguably be the fastest group of pacemen they have used in an Test against Australia in Australia

On Wednesday local groundsman the curator said to look for "speed and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it seems likely the English will stick to a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

But the English team have also spotted a dryness to the pitch, putting Bashir into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29

The team have favored the young spinner, 22, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in May he became the least experienced English bowler to achieve fifty wickets in international Tests

However he has missed a competitive game since taking the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a hand problem and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, posting overall statistics of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

This creates the possibility of him participating in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a domestic team

His contract at his county ended at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

Still, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - stays the expected conclusion

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features provided

England Squad

England squad for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that triumphed at home in the memorable competition of 2005 featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in 1954-55 contained Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are aiming to overturn an poor history - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since 2011

Only five members of the sixteen-player group have participated in a Test match in Australia, but the bowler states that could help the visitors

"This could represent an benefit," he told the press

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

"For us, we are a quite calm, very positive team

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

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

Australia are likely to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also joining due to health issues to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood