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The tourists have left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by including off-spinner Bashir in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the final decision probably involving spinner Bashir and seamer the seamer

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder Stokes - it would arguably be the fastest group of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

Recently WA wicket preparer McDonald commented to look for "speed and bounce" from the surface at the stadium, and it appears probable the English will adhere to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

Yet the English team have also observed a lack of moisture to the surface, bringing Bashir into the running

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five prior matches have been played here - Australian spin bowler the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The team have backed Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in recent months he achieved the least experienced English bowler to attain half-century of wickets in Tests

Yet he has not played a first-class game since claiming the final wicket in a exciting triumph over India in the final Test at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

Bashir has been suffering from a finger injury and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, returning overall statistics of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

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

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

Probable Team

Nevertheless, an visiting team featuring Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching high speeds - remains the most likely outcome

The opening match starts at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips provided

England Squad

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Although a various successful Ashes campaigns at in England and overseas have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that succeeded at home in the famous series of 2005 featured Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that won in that period included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory - the visitors are aiming to overturn an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test in Australia since 2011

Only five members of the sixteen-player group have experienced a Test in Australia, but Atkinson says that could work in England's favour

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

"There have been a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had some tough times in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, very positive group

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

The host team's practice session on recently was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

Australia are likely to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also coming in due to health issues to captain Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood