The English team Select the off-spinner in Line-up for Ashes Initial Match

The English side has left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by including spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five seamers

The fast bowler is declared fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Western Australia on Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly involving the young spinner and pace bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four specialists plus multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of seamers they have fielded in an Ashes Test in the host nation

On Wednesday WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald stated to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the surface at the stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also spotted a lack of moisture to the wicket, placing Bashir into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have backed Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in recent months he achieved the least experienced English bowler to achieve 50 wickets in international Tests

Yet he has missed a competitive game after securing the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Current Concerns

The spinner has been out with a broken finger and struggled in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the prospect of him playing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a domestic team

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

Probable Team

Still, an visiting team containing Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and 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 real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights provided

Team Selection

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

Team Background

Although a various successful Ashes campaigns at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The lineup that succeeded at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes contained Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in that period contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in modern times - the English team are hoping to change an difficult past - they have failed to win a Test in the host country since that year

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have participated in a international Test in Australia, but Atkinson says that could benefit the English team

"This might be an benefit," he told reporters

"We've seen a many cricketers who have said they have had some tough times here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic squad

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

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

Host Team Situation

Australia's practice session on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also coming in after injuries to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood