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The tourists have left decisions open for the series opener by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a 12-man squad combined with five pace bowlers

Wood is declared fit and seems set to play against Australia in Western Australia on the weekend, with the last selection possibly involving spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four specialists combined with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Ashes Test in this country

On Wednesday local pitch curator the curator said to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the venue, and it appears probable England will follow a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

Yet the tourists have also observed a arid quality to the wicket, bringing the off-spinner into the running

Spinning Options

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been staged here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29

England have favored Bashir, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in recent months he achieved the least experienced English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Test matches

Yet he has missed a first-class game following claiming the final wicket in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been suffering from a broken finger and struggled in the single preparation match against the development squad, returning overall statistics of 2-151 from his bowling spell

This presents the scenario of him participating in an Ashes match without being attached to a domestic team

His contract at Somerset concluded at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

However, an English side containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - continues to be the probable result

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for series opener: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Team Background

While a several successful Ashes campaigns at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The side that won at home in the memorable competition of that year included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in that era had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that succeeded in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent years - England are aiming to overturn an poor history - they have failed to win a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

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

"This might be an benefit," he mentioned to media outlets

"There are a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, very positive squad

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to do something special"

Host Team Situation

The Australian net session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are expected to hand a first cap to opener Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Doggett also coming in following fitness concerns to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood