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The tourists have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by naming spin bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the final decision likely involving spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the quickest collection of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

On Wednesday WA wicket preparer McDonald stated to anticipate "pace and bounce" from the pitch at the venue, and it seems likely the English will stick to a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

Yet the visitors have also spotted a dryness to the pitch, putting the spinner into consideration

Spin Considerations

In the short history of this venue - five prior matches have been played here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The team have supported Shoaib, 22, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in spring he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain half-century of wickets in Test matches

But he has missed a official match after taking the last dismissal in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in recently

Current Concerns

He has been suffering from a finger injury and found it difficult in the sole practice game against the Lions, returning overall statistics of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

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

His deal at Somerset concluded at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

Still, an English side featuring Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are likely to hit high speeds - stays the most likely outcome

The opening match begins at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips accessible

Team Selection

England squad for series opener: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Team Background

While a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that won at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 contained Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that triumphed in that period featured Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent memory - England are aiming to change an poor history - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could benefit the English team

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

"There are a lot of players who have stated they have had difficult experiences in this country

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

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

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

Host Team Situation

The Australian training on this week was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with new seamer Brendan Doggett also joining after health issues to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood