🔗 Share this article

England have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by selecting off-spinner Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler is declared fit and seems set to play against Australia in Perth on the weekend, with the last selection probably between off-spinner Bashir and seamer the seamer

Pitch Conditions

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four specialists along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of bowlers they have deployed in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Earlier this week local pitch curator McDonald stated to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible England will follow a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the tourists have also spotted a arid quality to the wicket, bringing Bashir into contention

Spinning Options

Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been staged here - Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29

The English management have favored Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in May he achieved the most youthful English bowler to attain 50 wickets in international Tests

But he has not played a official match following claiming the final wicket in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in summer

Current Concerns

Bashir has been suffering from a hand problem and had challenges in the sole practice game against the development squad, recording overall statistics of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

It also raises the possibility of the spinner competing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a domestic team

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

Likely Lineup

However, an English side including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90mph - stays the probable result

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, expert analysis and real-time features accessible

Team Selection

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The lineup that won at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in those years had Willis, Lever and Snow, and the English side that won in 1954-55 included Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent years - the English team are aiming to change an difficult past - they have not won a Test match in the host country since that year

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

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

"We've seen a many cricketers who have stated they have had some tough times down under

"For us, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic squad

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

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

Australian Preparations

The host team's practice session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with new pace bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in due to fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood