The visitors Include Bashir in Team for The Ashes series Initial Match

The English side has maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by selecting spin bowler the young spinner in a 12-man squad alongside five fast bowlers

Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate against Australia in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the ultimate choice probably involving off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers along with multi-skilled player Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Recently WA wicket preparer McDonald stated to look for "speed and bounce" from the wicket at the venue, and it appears probable England will follow a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

Yet the English team have also spotted a arid quality to the surface, placing the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of the ground - five previous Tests have been played here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The team have backed the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in May he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to attain half-century of wickets in international Tests

But he has missed a official match following securing the final wicket in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Issues

Bashir has been out with a finger injury and found it difficult in the sole practice game against the Lions, recording overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This creates the possibility of the spinner playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a county

His deal at Somerset expired at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

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

The first Test starts at early morning GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips accessible

Team Selection

England squad for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

While a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that succeeded at in England in the memorable competition of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in those seasons included Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in recent years - the visitors are aiming to overturn an awful record - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have played a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an benefit," he explained to reporters

"There have been a many cricketers who have stated they have had challenging periods down under

"For us, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic group

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to create history"

Host Team Situation

Australia's training on recently was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

The hosts are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included after injuries to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood