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The English side has left decisions open for the series opener by selecting spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five fast bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the last selection probably between off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four main pacers along with multi-skilled player the captain - it would potentially be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Ashes Test in Australia

Earlier this week local pitch curator Isaac McDonald said to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will stick to a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

Yet the tourists have also spotted a lack of moisture to the pitch, placing Bashir into consideration

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been staged here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The team have favored Shoaib, 22, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in recent months he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

But he has not played a official match following securing the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in recently

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a finger injury and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against the development squad, recording overall statistics of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

It also raises the scenario of the spinner playing in an Ashes match without being attached to a domestic team

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

Probable Team

However, an England team containing Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - remains the expected conclusion

The opening match commences at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and live action clips available

England Squad

England squad for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The side that won at domestically in the famous series of that year contained Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons included Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent years - the visitors are looking to reverse an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago

Only five members of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson says that could work in England's favour

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

"There have been a numerous athletes who have stated they have had some tough times down under

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, very positive squad

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

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

Australian Preparations

The host team's net session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the possibility of bad weather

The hosts are probably going to hand a first cap to opener Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Brendan Doggett also joining after fitness concerns to captain Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood