🔗 Share this article

The tourists have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting slow bowler Bashir in a 12-man squad combined with five pace bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature against Australia in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the last selection likely between off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an all-pace attack - four main pacers plus multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have deployed in an Test against Australia in Australia

Earlier this week Western Australia pitch curator the curator commented to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

But the English team have also noted a arid quality to the surface, bringing the off-spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29

England have favored the young spinner, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in spring he became the youngest England bowler to achieve 50 wickets in Test matches

However he has missed a competitive game since claiming the last dismissal in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in recently

Recent Issues

He has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in the single preparation match against the Lions, recording combined figures of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

This creates the possibility of Bashir playing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a first-class side

The agreement at Somerset concluded at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

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

The initial game starts at early morning GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, specialist radio coverage and real-time features provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a number of England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that won at domestically in the famous series of that year included Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

The captain's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that succeeded in those seasons included Brian Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent years - the visitors are hoping to change an poor history - they have not won a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago

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

"It could be an advantage," he mentioned to reporters

"There are a numerous athletes who have said they have had some tough times in this country

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

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to do something special"

Opposition News

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

The home side are expected to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Doggett also being included following injuries to captain Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood