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The tourists have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting off-spinner the young spinner in a twelve-player team together with five seamers

Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature against Australia in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the ultimate choice probably involving spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four dedicated bowlers along with all-rounder Stokes - it would potentially be the fastest group of seamers they have deployed in an Test against Australia in Australia

On Wednesday Western Australia pitch curator Isaac McDonald said to expect "pace and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the tourists have also observed a lack of moisture to the wicket, bringing the spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of this venue - five previous Tests have been played here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22, as their primary spin option for more than a year and in spring he achieved the most youthful English bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in Tests

Yet he has not played a official match following taking the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over India in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a hand problem and had challenges in the sole practice game against the development squad, recording match figures of 2 for 151 from twenty-four overs

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

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

Expected Selection

However, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are capable of reaching 90mph - remains the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and live action clips accessible

England Squad

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

Historical Context

While a various England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have never fielded as many express pace bowlers in the same team

The team that won at home in the memorable competition of 2005 featured Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in 1954-55 included Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - potentially the most exciting England-Australia contests in recent memory - the English team are aiming to reverse an awful record - they have failed to win a Test match in the host country since that year

Just five players of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test in the host nation, but the bowler says that could benefit the English team

"This might be an benefit," he mentioned to the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident squad

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

The host team's practice session on recently was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

Australia are expected to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Doggett also being included following injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood