🔗 Share this article

The tourists have left decisions open for the series opener by selecting off-spinner Bashir in a twelve-player team together with five seamers

Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Western Australia on the weekend, with the final decision likely coming down to spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists combined with multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have used in an Test against Australia in this country

Recently local wicket preparer McDonald commented to anticipate "pace and bounce" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible the tourists will stick to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

However the English team have also noted a lack of moisture to the wicket, putting the off-spinner into the running

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of this venue - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22, as their primary spin option for since last year and in recent months he achieved the least experienced English bowler to achieve 50 wickets in Tests

But he has missed a first-class game since taking the concluding scalp in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in recently

Current Concerns

He has been recovering from a finger injury and found it difficult in the sole practice game against England Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

It also raises the scenario of Bashir playing in an Ashes match without being contracted with a first-class side

His deal at his county concluded at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an England team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the most likely outcome

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

Playing Group

England squad for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The lineup that won at domestically in the famous series of 2005 Ashes included Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that triumphed in 1954-55 featured Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in recent years - England are looking to change an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a Test in the host country since over a decade ago

Only five members of the 16-man squad have participated in a Test in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could benefit the English team

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

"There are a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had some tough times here in Australia

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

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"We all see it as a huge opportunity to create history"

Opposition News

Australia's training on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The hosts are likely to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Doggett also coming in after fitness concerns to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood