England Name Shoaib Bashir in Team for The Ashes series Initial Match

England have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by including off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five seamers

Wood has recovered and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between off-spinner Bashir and seamer the seamer

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four specialists along with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have used in an Ashes Test in this country

Earlier this week Western Australia wicket preparer the curator said to look for "speed and bounce" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable England will stick to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

However the visitors have also noted a arid quality to the surface, putting the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

England have favored Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in recent months he became the most youthful English bowler to attain fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has missed a first-class game since securing the last dismissal in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been out with a hand problem and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, returning overall statistics of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This creates the prospect of the spinner competing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a domestic team

The agreement at the domestic team concluded at the end of the home summer

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an visiting team featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching 90 miles per hour - continues to be the most likely outcome

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, expert analysis and in-play highlights available

Team Selection

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that won at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes included Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that won in 1954-55 contained Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent years - the visitors are looking to change an difficult past - they have not won a Test in Australia since that year

Just five players of the extended squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but the bowler states that could work in England's favour

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

"We've seen a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had some tough times in this country

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, very positive team

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to do something special"

Australian Preparations

The host team's practice session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

Australia are likely to provide an opportunity to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Doggett also joining after health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood