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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by naming slow bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five seamers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on the weekend, with the ultimate choice possibly coming down to off-spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four main pacers plus all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

Recently WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald stated to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it looks possible the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the tourists have also observed a arid quality to the pitch, putting Bashir into the running

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The team have favored Bashir, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in May he became the most youthful English bowler to attain fifty wickets in Tests

Yet he has been absent from a competitive game following securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a finger injury and had challenges in the sole practice game against England Lions, recording overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

It also raises the scenario of him participating in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a domestic team

His deal at his county concluded at the end of the home summer

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an visiting team containing Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The opening match begins at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and live action clips available

England Squad

England squad for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

While a various English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that triumphed at home in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the England team that won in that period included Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are hoping to reverse an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the sixteen-player group have participated in a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler says that could benefit the English team

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

"We've seen a many cricketers who have stated they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident squad

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"We all see it as a massive chance to do something special"

Opposition News

Australia's net session on recently was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The hosts are likely to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with new pace bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in after health issues to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood