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The tourists have kept their options open for the series opener by selecting slow bowler the young spinner in a twelve-player team combined with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Perth on the weekend, with the last selection possibly involving off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

Should England choose an all-pace attack - four specialists plus all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

On Wednesday WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald commented to expect "pace and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the visitors have also spotted a lack of moisture to the surface, bringing the spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been played here - Australian off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

England have supported Bashir, 22, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in May he became the least experienced English bowler to reach fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a first-class game after securing the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been out with a hand problem and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, returning combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This presents the possibility of the spinner competing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a first-class side

His contract at his county ended at the end of the home summer

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an visiting team containing Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are able to achieve 90mph - remains the expected conclusion

The opening match starts at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, expert analysis and live action clips provided

Playing Group

England squad for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

While a several English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that triumphed at in England in the famous series of 2005 featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons featured Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in modern times - the English team are looking to reverse an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test match in Australia since that year

Only five members of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test in the host nation, but the bowler says that could work in England's favour

"This might be an positive," he mentioned to media outlets

"There have been a lot of players who have mentioned they have had some tough times down under

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, very positive group

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"We all see it as a massive chance to do something special"

Host Team Situation

Australia's practice session on recently was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Doggett also being included following health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood