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The English side has maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by naming slow bowler Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers

Wood has recovered and is expected to participate against Australia in Perth on the weekend, with the final decision probably coming down to the young spinner and fast bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers plus multi-skilled player Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have deployed in an Test against Australia in the host nation

Recently Western Australia groundsman McDonald said to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible the English will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the English team have also noted a arid quality to the pitch, putting Bashir into the running

Spinning Options

In the short history of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The team have backed Shoaib, 22, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in recent months he became the most youthful English bowler to attain fifty wickets in Test matches

However he has not played a official match following securing the last dismissal in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Challenges

He has been out with a broken finger and found it difficult in the sole practice game against England Lions, recording combined figures of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

This presents the possibility of the spinner playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a county

His deal at Somerset concluded at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an English side containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features accessible

Playing Group

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a various English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

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

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in those seasons contained Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent years - the English team are aiming to change an poor history - they have failed to win a five-day game in Australia since 2011

Only five members of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in Australia, but Atkinson states that could help the visitors

"This could represent an benefit," he explained to reporters

"There are a numerous athletes who have said they have had some tough times down under

"In our case, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic team

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

Australia's training on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also joining due to injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood