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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by including off-spinner Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five seamers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice likely involving the young spinner and seamer Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder Stokes - it would possibly be the fastest group of bowlers they have deployed in an Ashes Test in this country

On Wednesday WA groundsman McDonald stated to expect "speed and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it seems likely the English will follow a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

However the English team have also observed a lack of moisture to the pitch, placing the off-spinner into the running

Spin Considerations

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The team have backed Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in May he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in Test matches

Yet he has missed a first-class game since securing the concluding scalp in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been suffering from a broken finger and struggled in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, recording overall statistics of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

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

His deal at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

Still, an visiting team featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the expected conclusion

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and live action clips accessible

England Squad

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

While a several English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the same team

The side that succeeded at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes featured Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in that era had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the English side that triumphed in those seasons contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent years - the visitors are hoping to change an difficult past - they have not won a Test in Australia since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the sixteen-player group have experienced a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson says that could benefit the English team

"It could be an advantage," he mentioned to the press

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

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic team

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

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

The hosts are likely to provide an opportunity to batsman Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also being included following fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood