The English team Select Bashir in Team for Ashes First Test

The English side has kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by selecting spin bowler Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Perth on the weekend, with the ultimate choice possibly between spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four specialists plus all-rounder the captain - it would arguably be the quickest collection of bowlers they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

Earlier this week Western Australia groundsman the curator said to look for "pace and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible the English will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the visitors have also spotted a dryness to the pitch, putting Bashir into consideration

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of this venue - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

England have backed Bashir, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in spring he achieved the most youthful English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

However he has not played a official match after securing the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over India in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been out with a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against the development squad, returning combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

This presents the scenario of him playing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a first-class side

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

Likely Lineup

However, an visiting team including Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - stays the most likely outcome

The first Test starts at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features provided

England Squad

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

Historical Context

Even though a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that won at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes included Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in those seasons contained Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in modern times - the English team are looking to reverse an poor history - they have failed to win a Test match in Australia since that year

Only five members of the sixteen-player group have experienced a Test match in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an advantage," he told the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have said they have had challenging periods in this country

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

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to create history"

Host Team Situation

The host team's net session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are expected to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Doggett also joining due to health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood