🔗 Share this article

England have maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by selecting slow bowler Bashir in a 12-man squad together with five seamers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the final decision likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four main pacers along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the fastest group of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes match in this country

Recently WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald commented to look for "speed and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will adhere to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

But the visitors have also observed a dryness to the pitch, bringing Bashir into consideration

Spinning Options

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five prior matches have been played here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have supported Bashir, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in spring he achieved the least experienced English bowler to reach 50 wickets in international Tests

Yet he has been absent from a first-class game since taking the final wicket in a exciting triumph over India in the third Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been out with a hand problem and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, posting combined figures of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

It also raises the possibility of the spinner competing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a county

His contract at his county ended at the conclusion of the domestic season

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an England team containing Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Stokes and Carse - all of whom are able to achieve high speeds - stays the probable result

The opening match starts at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips available

Team Selection

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Even though a several England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The team that succeeded at domestically in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent years - the English team are aiming to change an awful record - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since that year

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have played a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an advantage," he told the press

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

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

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The Australian practice session on recently was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

The home side are expected to give a debut to batsman Weatherald, with new pace bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in after fitness concerns to captain Cummins and teammate Hazlewood