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The tourists have left decisions open for the series opener by selecting slow bowler the young spinner in a 12-man squad alongside five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and is expected to participate against Australia in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice probably between spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

Should England choose an all-pace attack - four main pacers along with multi-skilled player the captain - it would potentially be the quickest collection of pacemen they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

Earlier this week local wicket preparer Isaac McDonald stated to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will adhere to a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

But the tourists have also observed a lack of moisture to the wicket, bringing the off-spinner into the running

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have supported Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in May he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Tests

However he has not played a competitive game after claiming the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over India in the third Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

He has been recovering from a finger injury and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, posting match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This presents the scenario of him playing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a domestic team

His deal at his county ended at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

However, an English side including Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching 90 miles per hour - continues to be the probable result

The first Test begins at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, specialist radio coverage and real-time features accessible

England Squad

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Although a several English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the same team

The lineup that triumphed at home in the famous series of that year included Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in those years had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in 1954-55 contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - England are looking to overturn an difficult past - they have not won a Test match in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have played a Test in the host nation, but the bowler states that could work in England's favour

"This might be an advantage," he told the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have stated they have had difficult experiences down under

"Regarding our team, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident group

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

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

Australian Preparations

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

Australia are expected to give a debut to batsman Weatherald, with new pace bowler Doggett also joining following injuries to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood