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The English side has left decisions open for the series opener by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a squad of twelve together with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth on the coming Friday, with the final decision likely involving off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists along with multi-skilled player the captain - it would arguably be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Test against Australia in the host nation

Recently Western Australia wicket preparer the curator commented to expect "pace and bounce" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible the English will follow a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also spotted a dryness to the pitch, putting the off-spinner into the running

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The English management have supported Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in May he became the youngest England bowler to attain fifty wickets in international Tests

Yet he has not played a first-class game after taking the final wicket in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Challenges

He has been recovering from a finger injury and struggled in the sole practice game against the Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the scenario of Bashir participating in an Ashes match without being attached to a domestic team

His deal at his county expired at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

However, an English side including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are likely to hit high speeds - stays the most likely outcome

The initial game begins at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights provided

England Squad

England squad for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Team Background

While a several English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The side that succeeded at home in the celebrated contest of that year contained Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons featured Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in modern times - the English team are aiming to change an awful record - they have failed to win a five-day game in Australia since that year

Just five players of the extended squad have experienced a international Test 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 stated they have had some tough times in this country

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

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to create history"

Host Team Situation

The Australian practice session on recently was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

The hosts are expected to give a debut to batsman Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Brendan Doggett also coming in due to fitness concerns to captain Cummins and teammate Hazlewood