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The English side has left decisions open for the series opener by selecting spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five pace bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and seems set to play facing the hosts in Western Australia on the weekend, with the last selection likely involving off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four specialists plus multi-skilled player the captain - it would potentially be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes Test in Australia

On Wednesday WA pitch curator McDonald commented to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it looks possible the tourists will stick to a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

However the English team have also spotted a arid quality to the wicket, placing the spinner into consideration

Spinning Options

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been played here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The English management have favored Bashir, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in spring he became the least experienced English bowler to attain 50 wickets in international Tests

However he has been absent from a official match after securing the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Challenges

He has been suffering from a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against the development squad, recording combined figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

This presents the scenario of the spinner participating in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a county

His contract at the domestic team expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

However, an visiting team including Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90mph - remains the probable result

The first Test begins at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features accessible

England Squad

Selected players for series opener: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a various successful Ashes campaigns at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the same team

The side that succeeded at in England in the memorable competition of that year contained Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the England team that succeeded in 1954-55 featured Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - the English team are aiming to overturn an poor history - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have played a international Test in Australia, but the bowler says that could help the visitors

"This might be an positive," he mentioned to media outlets

"There are a many cricketers who have stated they have had some tough times in this country

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident team

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

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

Australian Preparations

Australia's practice session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

The home side are expected to provide an opportunity to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Doggett also joining following health issues to captain Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood