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The tourists have kept their options open for the series opener by naming slow bowler the young spinner in a squad of twelve combined with five fast bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Western Australia on the coming Friday, with the last selection probably coming down to off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would possibly be the quickest collection of seamers they have fielded in an Ashes Test in Australia

On Wednesday WA groundsman the curator stated to expect "speed and bounce" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the English team have also observed a lack of moisture to the wicket, placing the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of the ground - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The team have favored Bashir, 22, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in recent months he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to reach 50 wickets in Tests

Yet he has not played a competitive game since taking the last dismissal in a exciting triumph over India in the final Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Issues

The spinner has been suffering from a hand problem and struggled in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, posting combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the scenario of him playing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a first-class side

The agreement at his county expired at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an English side featuring Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90mph - stays the most likely outcome

The opening match begins at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and real-time features provided

England Squad

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Although a various England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that triumphed at home in the famous series of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to the host nation in that era had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent memory - England are hoping to overturn an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test match in Australia since that year

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

"It could be an positive," he mentioned to the press

"We've seen a lot of players who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences in this country

"In our case, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic squad

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

The Australian net session on recently was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett also coming in after health issues to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood