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England have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by naming off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five fast bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the final decision likely between off-spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers combined with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the fastest group of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in Australia

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald stated to look for "pace and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will stick to a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

But the tourists have also observed a dryness to the surface, placing the off-spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five prior matches have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with twenty-nine

The English management have backed Bashir, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in international Tests

But he has missed a competitive game following securing the concluding scalp in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in July

Current Concerns

He has been out with a finger injury and found it difficult in the sole practice game against England Lions, recording combined figures of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

This creates the prospect of him participating in an Ashes Test without being attached to a domestic team

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

Likely Lineup

However, an England team containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90mph - remains the expected conclusion

The initial game begins at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips available

Team Selection

England squad for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

While a several England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have never fielded as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that triumphed at domestically in the famous series of 2005 featured Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in that era had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in 1954-55 featured Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent memory - the visitors are looking to overturn an poor history - they have not won a Test in the host country since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors

"It could be an benefit," he mentioned to reporters

"There have been a many cricketers who have said they have had some tough times down under

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic group

"No bad memories

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

The host team's training on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The home side are expected to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Brendan Doggett also coming in after fitness concerns to skipper Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood