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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a twelve-player team combined with five pace bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Western Australia on the weekend, with the ultimate choice probably involving off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler the seamer

Wicket Factors

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four specialists along with multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the fastest group of pacemen they have fielded in an Ashes Test in Australia

Earlier this week WA groundsman McDonald stated to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the venue, and it looks possible the English will adhere to a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

Yet the tourists have also observed a dryness to the pitch, bringing the spinner into consideration

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

The English management have backed the young spinner, 22, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to attain fifty wickets in Tests

But he has been absent from a official match since claiming the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been suffering from a finger injury and struggled in the single preparation match against the development squad, recording overall statistics of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

This presents the scenario of him competing in an Ashes match without being attached to a first-class side

His deal at the domestic team concluded at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

However, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - continues to be the most likely outcome

The opening match begins at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features provided

Team Selection

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

Team Background

While a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The team that triumphed at in England in the famous series of 2005 included Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in those seasons included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent years - the visitors are aiming to reverse an difficult past - they have failed to win a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago

Just five players of the extended squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but the bowler comments that could help the visitors

"This might be an advantage," he explained to reporters

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

"For us, we are a very relaxed, very positive group

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

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

Australian Preparations

The host team's net session on this week was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The hosts are probably going to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also joining after fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood