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England have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by selecting slow bowler the young spinner in a twelve-player team alongside five seamers

Mark Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the last selection likely involving off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the fastest group of bowlers they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

Earlier this week WA pitch curator Isaac McDonald stated to look for "speed and bounce" from the wicket at the venue, and it appears probable the tourists will adhere to a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

However the visitors have also noted a lack of moisture to the wicket, placing the spinner into the running

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australian off-spinner Lyon is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have backed Bashir, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to reach 50 wickets in Tests

However he has missed a official match after securing the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in summer

Current Concerns

He has been out with a finger injury and struggled in the sole practice game against England Lions, returning combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This presents the possibility of the spinner playing in an Ashes Test without being contracted with a county

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

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an English side containing Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - stays the probable result

The first Test begins at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

While a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The team that triumphed at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes included Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to the host nation in those years had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series 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

Only five members of the sixteen-player group have experienced a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour

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

"We've seen a numerous athletes who have said they have had some tough times down under

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, very positive squad

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

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

Australian Preparations

The host team's training on this week was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The hosts are expected to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included following health issues to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood