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England have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by selecting slow bowler Bashir in a twelve-player team together with five fast bowlers

Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature against Australia in Western Australia on Friday, with the final decision probably coming down to off-spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers combined with multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the quickest collection of seamers they have fielded in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week local pitch curator the curator commented to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the venue, and it appears probable the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the visitors have also noted a arid quality to the surface, bringing Bashir into the running

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of the ground - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

England have supported the young spinner, 22, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in spring he became the most youthful English bowler to attain fifty wickets in Tests

But he has missed a competitive game since securing the final wicket in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in July

Current Concerns

Bashir has been suffering from a broken finger and had challenges in the single preparation match against the development squad, returning combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the possibility of Bashir playing in an Ashes Test without being contracted with a domestic team

His contract at Somerset ended at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

However, an English side featuring Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - continues to be the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, expert analysis and real-time features accessible

England Squad

Selected players for series opener: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

While a various England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The team that won at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the English side that won in 1954-55 contained Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in modern times - the English team are aiming to reverse an difficult past - they have failed to win a five-day game in the host country since 2011

Only five members of the 16-man squad have experienced a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler says that could help the visitors

"This might be an benefit," he told media outlets

"There are a many cricketers who have said they have had challenging periods down under

"For us, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident team

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to do something special"

Opposition News

The Australian practice session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the possibility of bad weather

The home side are likely to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in following fitness concerns to captain Cummins and colleague Hazlewood