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England have maintained flexibility for the series opener by including slow bowler Bashir in a twelve-player team together with five pace bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the final decision probably between off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder the captain - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

Recently local pitch curator the curator said to expect "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the English will stick to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

However the visitors have also noted a dryness to the pitch, bringing the spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have supported Bashir, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in recent months he became the youngest England bowler to attain half-century of wickets in Tests

But he has been absent from a first-class game after taking the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third Test at the famous ground in summer

Recent Issues

The spinner has been suffering from a broken finger and found it difficult in the single preparation match against the Lions, recording match figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the possibility of Bashir playing in an Test against Australia without being attached to a domestic team

His contract at Somerset ended at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

However, an English side including Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - continues to be the probable result

The initial game starts at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

England Squad

Team lineup for series opener: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a various successful Ashes campaigns at domestically and internationally have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that won at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes contained Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in those years had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in 1954-55 featured Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent years - the English team are hoping to overturn an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a Test match in Australia, but the bowler states that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an positive," he mentioned to reporters

"There are a lot of players who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences in this country

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, very positive group

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"We all see it as a massive chance to create history"

Opposition News

The host team's net session on recently was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

The home side are probably going to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with new pace bowler Doggett also joining due to health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood