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England have left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by selecting spin bowler Bashir in a twelve-player team combined with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth on the weekend, with the final decision possibly involving spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four specialists plus all-rounder Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have fielded in an Test against Australia in Australia

Recently Western Australia groundsman the curator said to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the venue, and it looks possible the English will adhere to a long-standing plan of an pace-only strategy

However the visitors have also noted a lack of moisture to the pitch, putting the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The English management have backed Shoaib, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in spring he became the youngest England bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in Tests

However he has not played a first-class game after claiming the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the third match at the famous ground in summer

Recent Challenges

He has been out with a hand problem and struggled in the single preparation match against the development squad, recording match figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This presents the scenario of the spinner competing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a domestic team

The agreement at Somerset expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Likely Lineup

However, an England team containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90mph - continues to be the probable result

The first Test starts at early morning GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, expert analysis and live action clips accessible

Playing Group

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Although a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the same team

The team that succeeded at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 contained Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in that era had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent years - the visitors are looking to change an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a Test match in Australia since that year

Just five players of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but the bowler states that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an benefit," he mentioned to media outlets

"There have been a numerous athletes who have said they have had challenging periods down under

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident group

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a great possibility to create history"

Opposition News

The host team's net session on recently was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

The hosts are probably going to give a debut to opener Weatherald, with new pace bowler Doggett also being included following fitness concerns to captain Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood