England Name Shoaib Bashir in Team for Ashes Initial Match

The English side has maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by including slow bowler Shoaib Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between the young spinner and seamer Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four main pacers along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

Recently local groundsman McDonald stated to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the surface at the stadium, and it appears probable the English will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

However the visitors have also noted a arid quality to the wicket, placing Bashir into the running

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with 29

England have favored Shoaib, 22, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in recent months he became the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

Yet he has not played a official match since claiming the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

He has been out with a hand problem and had challenges in the sole practice game against the Lions, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

It also raises the prospect of the spinner participating in an Ashes match without being contracted with a county

His deal at Somerset concluded at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

Still, an English side featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching 90mph - stays the expected conclusion

The initial game begins at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights provided

Team Selection

Team lineup for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wk), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

While a several successful Ashes campaigns at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that won at domestically in the famous series of 2005 featured Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons included Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent memory - England are hoping to overturn an poor history - they have not won a Test in the host country since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have participated in a Test in the host nation, but the bowler states that could help the visitors

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

"There have been a numerous athletes who have said they have had difficult experiences in this country

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

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

Australia's practice session on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

The hosts are expected to hand a first cap to opener Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Brendan Doggett also joining following injuries to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood