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The English side has maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by selecting spin bowler Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five seamers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate against Australia in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers along with all-rounder Stokes - it would arguably be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes Test in this country

Recently WA groundsman the curator said to expect "speed and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it looks possible England will adhere to a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

But the tourists have also spotted a arid quality to the surface, placing Bashir into contention

Spinning Options

In the short history of this venue - five prior matches have been played here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29

The team have favored Bashir, 22, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in May he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in Tests

However he has missed a competitive game after claiming the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over India in the final Test at the famous ground in summer

Recent Issues

Bashir has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in the sole practice game against England Lions, recording match figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This presents the scenario of Bashir competing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a first-class side

The agreement at his county expired at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

Still, an English side featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - continues to be the probable result

The opening match begins at early morning GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

Team Selection

England squad for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Although a number of successful Ashes campaigns at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The side that triumphed at domestically in the famous series of that year featured Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's winning English side to the host nation in that era had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that won in that period contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in modern times - the visitors are looking to overturn an awful record - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since 2011

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

"This might be an benefit," he told reporters

"There are a many cricketers who have stated they have had some tough times here in Australia

"In our case, we are a quite calm, very positive group

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

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

Australian Preparations

The host team's net session on recently was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The hosts are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in after fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood