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The tourists have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by naming slow bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five pace bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and seems set to play facing the hosts in Perth on Friday, with the final decision probably between spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have used in an Test against Australia in the host nation

Earlier this week local groundsman McDonald said to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible England will follow a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

But the visitors have also observed a arid quality to the wicket, placing the spinner into contention

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of this venue - five prior matches have been played here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

England have favored Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in recent months he achieved the youngest England bowler to reach fifty wickets in Tests

However he has not played a first-class game following claiming the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the third match at Lord's in summer

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been out with a broken finger and struggled in the sole practice game against the Lions, recording match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the prospect of Bashir competing in an Test against Australia without being attached to a county

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

Likely Lineup

However, an visiting team containing Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - stays the expected conclusion

The first Test commences at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights accessible

Team Selection

Selected players for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

While a various English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that triumphed at home in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the English side that succeeded in 1954-55 featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in modern times - the visitors are aiming to change an poor history - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have participated in a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could benefit the English team

"It could be an benefit," he explained to media outlets

"There are a numerous athletes who have said they have had challenging periods in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, very positive team

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"We all see it as a great possibility to do something special"

Opposition News

The host team's practice session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

The hosts are expected to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Doggett also coming in due to health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood