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The English side has kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by selecting spin bowler Bashir in a twelve-player team alongside five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and seems set to play against Australia in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the ultimate choice probably involving off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four specialists combined with all-rounder Stokes - it would potentially be the fastest group of seamers they have deployed in an Test against Australia in this country

Recently local pitch curator the curator said to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it seems likely the English will adhere to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

Yet the tourists have also spotted a dryness to the wicket, putting the spinner into consideration

Spin Considerations

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have supported the young spinner, 22, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in spring he became the most youthful English bowler to reach 50 wickets in Tests

However he has been absent from a first-class game following claiming the final wicket in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in July

Current Concerns

He has been suffering from a hand problem and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, returning overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This creates the scenario of Bashir competing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a domestic team

The agreement at his county concluded at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

However, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90mph - remains the expected conclusion

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips provided

England Squad

England squad for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a number of 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 equivalent side

The lineup that succeeded at domestically in the celebrated contest of 2005 included Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in those seasons included Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in recent years - England are hoping to change an poor history - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in the host country since 2011

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could benefit the English team

"It could be an advantage," he explained to the press

"We've seen a lot of players who have stated they have had difficult experiences in this country

"For us, we are a quite calm, very positive group

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

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

Australian Preparations

Australia's practice session on recently was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are likely to give a debut to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Doggett also coming in due to fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood