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The English side has kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by selecting slow bowler Bashir in a 12-man squad combined with five seamers

Mark Wood is declared fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Western Australia on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice likely involving off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four specialists combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have deployed in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald said to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable England will follow a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

However the English team have also spotted a dryness to the pitch, placing the spinner into contention

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in recent months he became the least experienced English bowler to attain fifty wickets in international Tests

Yet he has not played a official match following securing the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over India in the final Test at the famous ground in summer

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been suffering from a finger injury and found it difficult in the single preparation match against England Lions, returning overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

It also raises the possibility of the spinner playing in an Test against Australia without being attached to a first-class side

His contract at his county expired at the end of the home summer

Expected Selection

However, an visiting team containing Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching 90 miles per hour - stays the expected conclusion

The opening match begins at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights available

Playing Group

Selected players for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Even though a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, 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 contained Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons featured Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent memory - the English team are aiming to change an poor history - they have failed to win a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in Australia, but the bowler says that could work in England's favour

"This might be an advantage," he told reporters

"There are a numerous athletes who have said they have had difficult experiences in this country

"In our case, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic team

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to do something special"

Opposition News

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

The hosts are expected to provide an opportunity to batsman Jack Weatherald, with new pace bowler Doggett also being included following injuries to skipper Cummins and colleague Hazlewood