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England have maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by naming spin bowler the young spinner in a squad of twelve combined with five pace bowlers

Wood has recovered and seems set to play facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the final decision likely involving the young spinner and pace bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists combined with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of pacemen they have fielded in an Test against Australia in the host nation

Earlier this week WA groundsman the curator commented to look for "speed and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the English will adhere to a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

But the visitors have also spotted a dryness to the wicket, bringing Bashir into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have supported the young spinner, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in recent months he achieved the most youthful English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Tests

But he has been absent from a official match after taking the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Issues

Bashir has been recovering from a hand problem and struggled in the sole practice game against the Lions, posting match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from twenty-four overs

This presents the prospect of Bashir participating in an Ashes match without being attached to a domestic team

The agreement at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

However, an England team containing Wood, Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips provided

Team Selection

Selected players for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

While a several England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously used as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that won at in England in the famous series of that year included Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the England team that succeeded in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent memory - the English team are aiming to reverse an difficult past - they have not won a Test match in Australia since 2011

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have experienced a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler says that could help the visitors

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

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

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic group

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

Australia's training on this week was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The hosts are likely to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Doggett also coming in after health issues to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood