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The tourists have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by including spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad combined with five fast bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Perth on Friday, with the final decision possibly involving off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would potentially be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

Recently Western Australia groundsman Isaac McDonald said to expect "speed and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it seems likely the English will adhere to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

Yet the visitors have also noted a lack of moisture to the surface, putting the spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

England have supported Shoaib, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain 50 wickets in Tests

Yet he has missed a competitive game after securing the last dismissal in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Challenges

He has been out with a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against the Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

It also raises the possibility of the spinner participating in an Test against Australia without being attached to a first-class side

His deal at the domestic team ended at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

Nevertheless, an visiting team including Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - continues to be the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features provided

Team Selection

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

Team Background

Although a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

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

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Test series in modern times - the English team are aiming to change an difficult past - they have not won a Test in Australia since over a decade ago

Just five players of the extended squad have played a international Test in Australia, but the bowler states that could help the visitors

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

"There are a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, extremely confident squad

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to do something special"

Host Team Situation

The Australian net session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett also being included following injuries to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood