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The English side has left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five seamers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Western Australia on the coming Friday, with the final decision probably involving off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four specialists plus all-rounder the captain - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes match in the host nation

Earlier this week Western Australia pitch curator the curator commented to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it appears probable England will adhere to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

However the visitors have also observed a lack of moisture to the pitch, bringing the spinner into contention

Spinning Options

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been staged here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

The team have supported the young spinner, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler 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 first-class game after securing the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Issues

The spinner has been suffering from a hand problem and found it difficult in the sole practice game against the Lions, recording match figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

This creates the possibility of Bashir playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a domestic team

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

Probable Team

Still, an visiting team containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are likely to hit high speeds - remains the expected conclusion

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features available

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (wk), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have never fielded as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that won at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that triumphed in those seasons contained Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in modern times - England are aiming to reverse an difficult past - they have not won a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have played a Test match in Australia, but the bowler states that could help the visitors

"This might be an advantage," he mentioned to reporters

"There are a lot of players who have said they have had some tough times here in Australia

"For us, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic team

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"We all see it as a huge opportunity to create history"

Opposition News

The Australian net session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

Australia are expected to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Doggett also joining due to health issues to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood