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The English side has maintained flexibility for the series opener by naming off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five fast bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play against Australia in Perth on Friday, with the last selection likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an all-pace attack - four main pacers combined with multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Recently local pitch curator McDonald said to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the venue, and it looks possible the tourists will adhere to a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

However the tourists have also spotted a lack of moisture to the pitch, placing the spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian off-spinner Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have supported Shoaib, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in recent months he became the most youthful English bowler to attain fifty wickets in international Tests

However he has missed a official match since taking the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over India in the third match at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

He has been out with a hand problem and struggled in the sole practice game against the Lions, recording match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This creates the possibility of Bashir competing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a first-class side

The agreement at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

Still, an visiting team containing Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The initial game commences at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

England squad for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The side that succeeded at domestically in the memorable competition of that year contained Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in that period included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent memory - the English team are looking to overturn an poor history - they have not won a Test match in the host country since 2011

Merely five individuals of the sixteen-player group have participated in a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson states that could help the visitors

"This might be an benefit," he explained to reporters

"There have been a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had some tough times here in Australia

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic squad

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The host team's net session on this week was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Doggett also joining following injuries to captain Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood