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

The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice likely involving off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists combined with all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have used in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week local wicket preparer the curator commented to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the stadium, and it looks possible the English will follow a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

But the English team have also noted a lack of moisture to the wicket, bringing Bashir into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29

The English management have backed the young spinner, 22, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in May he became the youngest England bowler to attain 50 wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a competitive game after taking the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over India in the final Test at the famous ground in July

Recent Issues

He has been recovering from a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against the Lions, recording overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the possibility of Bashir competing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a domestic team

The agreement at Somerset ended at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

However, an English side featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit high speeds - stays the probable result

The opening match starts at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights available

Team Selection

Selected players for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

While a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that succeeded at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes included Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's winning English side to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the English side that succeeded in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - England are aiming to overturn an poor history - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the 16-man squad have played a Test in Australia, but the bowler says that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an positive," he told reporters

"There are a many cricketers who have said they have had some tough times in this country

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident squad

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

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

Opposition News

The host team's training on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

The home side are expected to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included after injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood