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England have left decisions open for the series opener by selecting off-spinner the young spinner in a squad of twelve combined with five seamers

Mark Wood has recovered and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth on Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly between spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes Test in this country

Recently local wicket preparer the curator commented to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the stadium, and it looks possible the English will stick to a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

Yet the tourists have also spotted a arid quality to the surface, bringing the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in May he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain half-century of wickets in international Tests

However he has been absent from a official match following claiming the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over India in the third Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Issues

He has been suffering from a hand problem and struggled in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, posting overall statistics of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

This creates the possibility of him playing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a county

His contract at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

Still, an English side containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - continues to be the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, expert analysis and live action clips accessible

England Squad

England squad for series opener: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a several English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that triumphed at home in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons included Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent years - the English team are looking to change an poor history - they have not won a Test in the host country since over a decade ago

Just five players of the extended squad have played a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors

"It could be an benefit," he told media outlets

"There have been a lot of players who have said they have had difficult experiences down under

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

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to do something special"

Australian Preparations

Australia's training on recently was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

The home side are expected to give a debut to opener Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Brendan Doggett also being included following health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood