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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the series opener by naming off-spinner Bashir in a 12-man squad combined with five seamers

The fast bowler has recovered and appears likely to feature against Australia in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the final decision likely involving spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four main pacers combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have used in an Test against Australia in Australia

Recently Western Australia wicket preparer the curator said to expect "pace and bounce" from the pitch at the venue, and it seems likely the English will follow a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also spotted a lack of moisture to the pitch, placing the spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five previous Tests have been played here - Australian off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The team have backed Shoaib, 22, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach fifty wickets in Tests

Yet he has not played a first-class game since securing the final wicket in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in July

Current Concerns

He has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, posting combined figures of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

This creates the scenario of him competing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a county

The agreement at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Likely Lineup

However, an English side containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - stays the most likely outcome

The first Test begins at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

While a number of successful Ashes campaigns at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that won at in England in the memorable competition of that year featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that triumphed in 1954-55 featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Test series in modern times - England are hoping to overturn an awful record - they have failed to win a Test in the host country since that year

Only five members of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could work in England's favour

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

"We've seen a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences here in Australia

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, very positive group

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to create history"

Australian Preparations

The host team's net session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are expected to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Brendan Doggett also joining due to fitness concerns to captain Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood