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The English side has kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by selecting off-spinner Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five pace bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the final decision likely involving the young spinner and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers plus multi-skilled player the captain - it would arguably be the fastest group of bowlers they have used in an Test against Australia in Australia

On Wednesday local pitch curator the curator stated to anticipate "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the English will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the tourists have also noted a lack of moisture to the pitch, putting the off-spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

England have backed Bashir, 22, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in recent months he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain half-century of wickets in Test matches

However he has been absent from a official match following securing the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over India in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a broken finger and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, returning overall statistics of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This presents the possibility of him competing in an Test against Australia without being attached to a county

His deal at Somerset ended at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

Nevertheless, an English side containing Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit high speeds - remains the probable result

The opening match commences at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and real-time features available

England Squad

England squad for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Although a number of English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

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

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in that era had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that succeeded in that period featured Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in modern times - the visitors are looking to change an poor history - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since 2011

Just five players of the 16-man squad have played a Test in Australia, but Atkinson says that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an benefit," he explained to reporters

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

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

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to do something special"

Australian Preparations

Australia's practice session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Doggett also coming in following health issues to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood