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The tourists have left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by selecting spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the last selection probably coming down to the young spinner and fast bowler the seamer

Ground Situation

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in Australia

Recently local pitch curator McDonald commented to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

Yet the tourists have also observed a arid quality to the wicket, bringing the spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

England have supported Bashir, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in May he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has missed a competitive game after taking the concluding scalp in a thrilling win over India in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

He has been recovering from a broken finger and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning combined figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

This creates the possibility of him playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a first-class side

His deal at Somerset expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an visiting team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - stays the most likely outcome

The first Test begins at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

While a various England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that succeeded at in England in the famous series of that year contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are aiming to change an poor history - they have failed to win a Test match in the host country since 2011

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have played a Test match in the host nation, but the bowler states that could help the visitors

"It could be an advantage," he explained to reporters

"We've seen a many cricketers who have stated they have had challenging periods down under

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, very positive group

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

The Australian training on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are likely to give a debut to batsman Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Doggett also being included after injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood