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The tourists have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by selecting slow bowler the young spinner in a squad of twelve together with five pace bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the ultimate choice likely coming down to spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the fastest group of seamers they have fielded in an Ashes match in the host nation

Recently Western Australia groundsman the curator stated to look for "speed and bounce" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

Yet the tourists have also spotted a dryness to the wicket, bringing the spinner into consideration

Spinning Options

Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australia off-spinner the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with 29

England have favored the young spinner, 22, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in May he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Test matches

However he has not played a competitive game since taking the final wicket in a dramatic victory over India in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

Bashir has been out with a finger injury and found it difficult in the single preparation match against England Lions, posting combined figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

This creates the possibility of him playing in an Ashes Test without being attached to a county

His contract at Somerset expired at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

However, an England team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - stays the expected conclusion

The opening match begins at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, expert analysis and live action clips provided

Team Selection

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

Team Background

Although a number of English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

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

Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in those seasons contained Brian Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent memory - England are aiming to reverse an awful record - they have failed to win a Test match in Australia since that year

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have participated in a Test match in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could work in England's favour

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

"We've seen a lot of players who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences here in Australia

"For us, we are a very relaxed, very positive team

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The host team's net session on recently was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are expected to give a debut to opener Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Doggett also being included due to health issues to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood