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The tourists have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by naming slow bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five seamers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate against Australia in Western Australia on Friday, with the last selection probably involving spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists combined with multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

Recently WA groundsman Isaac McDonald stated to anticipate "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 lack of moisture to the surface, putting the off-spinner into contention

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have backed the young spinner, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for since last year and in recent months he achieved the least experienced English bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in international Tests

Yet he has missed a official match since securing the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the third Test at the famous ground in summer

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been recovering from a broken finger and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, returning combined figures of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

It also raises the scenario of Bashir playing in an Ashes Test without being attached to a county

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

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an visiting team containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit high speeds - remains the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, specialist radio coverage and live action clips accessible

Playing Group

England squad for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a several England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The side that succeeded at home in the celebrated contest of that year included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - potentially the most exciting England-Australia contests in recent memory - England are looking to overturn an difficult past - they have not won a Test match in the host country since that year

Only five members of the extended squad have participated in a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors

"This could represent an benefit," he mentioned to the press

"We've seen a lot of players who have stated they have had some tough times in this country

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic team

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to create history"

Host Team Situation

The Australian practice session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

The hosts are probably going to give a debut to opener Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also being included following health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood