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The English side has left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by naming slow bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve together with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler is declared fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four main pacers along with multi-skilled player the captain - it would arguably be the fastest group of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes Test in this country

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer McDonald commented to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the stadium, and it looks possible the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also observed a lack of moisture to the wicket, bringing the off-spinner into consideration

Spin Considerations

In the short history of the ground - five prior matches have been staged here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

England have backed the young spinner, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in May he became the most youthful English bowler to attain fifty wickets in international Tests

However he has missed a competitive game after securing the concluding scalp in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Issues

Bashir has been recovering from a finger injury and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This presents the possibility of the spinner competing in an Ashes Test without being attached to a domestic team

His contract at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

Still, an England team including Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - continues to be the probable result

The initial game commences at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, expert analysis and live action clips available

Team Selection

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

Team Background

Even though a several England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that succeeded at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in those years had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the England team that succeeded in 1954-55 included Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent memory - the visitors are looking to overturn an difficult past - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have participated in a international Test in Australia, but the bowler says that could work in England's favour

"It could be an positive," he explained to reporters

"There are a numerous athletes who have said they have had some tough times in this country

"For us, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic squad

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to create history"

Host Team Situation

The host team's training on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

The hosts are probably going to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Brendan Doggett also coming in due to fitness concerns to captain Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood