The English team Include Shoaib Bashir in Team for The Ashes series Opener

Cricket action

Bashir has claimed 68 scalps at an mean of 39 across 19 Tests

The English side has left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting spin bowler Bashir in a 12-man squad combined with five seamers

Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Ground Situation

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four specialists along with multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes match in Australia

Earlier this week local groundsman the curator said to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the English will follow a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

But the tourists have also noted a arid quality to the pitch, placing the spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of this venue - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in spring he achieved the youngest England bowler to achieve fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has not played a first-class game since claiming the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at the famous ground in July

Current Concerns

He has been suffering from a hand problem and struggled in England's only warm-up match against the development squad, returning combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

It also raises the possibility of Bashir playing in an Test against Australia without being attached to a first-class side

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

Expected Selection

Still, an England team featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit high speeds - remains the expected conclusion

The opening match starts at early morning GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, expert analysis and real-time features provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Although a several English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that succeeded at in England in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes contained Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in 1954-55 included Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in modern times - the visitors are hoping to overturn an awful record - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since that year

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in Australia, but the bowler comments that could help the visitors

"This could represent an advantage," he told reporters

"We've seen a lot of players who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia

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

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

Australia's practice session on this week was briefly delayed by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are expected to hand a first cap to opener Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Doggett also coming in following fitness concerns to skipper Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood

Summer Wright
Summer Wright

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in online gambling, specializing in slot machine reviews and player strategy.