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England have maintained flexibility for the series opener by selecting spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on Friday, with the last selection probably between spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four main pacers plus multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes Test in Australia

Earlier this week WA groundsman Isaac McDonald said to anticipate "pace and bounce" from the wicket at the venue, and it looks possible England will stick to a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

However the English team have also noted a arid quality to the surface, placing the spinner into the running

Spin Considerations

In the short history of this venue - five prior matches have been staged here - Australian off-spinner Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29

England have supported Shoaib, 22, as their primary spin option for since last year and in spring he achieved the most youthful English bowler to achieve fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has not played a first-class game after securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

The spinner has been recovering from a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against England Lions, recording combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the prospect of Bashir playing in an Ashes Test without being contracted with a first-class side

The agreement at the domestic team concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

Still, an England team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, expert analysis and live action clips accessible

England Squad

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

Team Background

Although a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that succeeded at domestically in the famous series of 2005 Ashes included Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons featured Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - the English team are hoping to overturn an difficult past - they have failed to win a Test match in Australia since that year

Only five members of the extended squad have experienced a international Test in Australia, but the bowler states that could benefit the English team

"It could be an benefit," he told media outlets

"There are a lot of players who have said they have had some tough times in this country

"For us, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic squad

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"We all see it as a massive chance to do something special"

Opposition News

The Australian practice session on this week was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

Australia are expected to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Doggett also being included after injuries to skipper Cummins and teammate Hazlewood