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The English side has left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by including spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five fast bowlers

Mark Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play against Australia in Perth on the coming Friday, with the last selection probably involving spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four main pacers combined with all-rounder Stokes - it would possibly be the fastest group of pacemen they have deployed in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Recently WA pitch curator McDonald commented to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

However the tourists have also noted a arid quality to the surface, placing the spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

During the brief existence of the ground - five prior matches have been played here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

England have supported the young spinner, 22, as their primary spin option for over twelve months and in recent months he was recognized as the most youthful English bowler to attain fifty wickets in international Tests

Yet he has missed a official match since taking the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third match at Lord's in summer

Current Concerns

The spinner has been out with a broken finger and struggled in the sole practice game against the development squad, recording match figures of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

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

His contract at the domestic team expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

However, an English side containing Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are likely to hit high speeds - stays the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights available

Playing Group

Selected players for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a various England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that succeeded at in England in the celebrated contest of that year contained Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that triumphed in 1954-55 contained Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Test series in modern times - the English team are looking to overturn an awful record - they have failed to win a Test match in Australia since that year

Just five players of the 16-man squad have experienced a international Test in Australia, but the bowler comments that could work in England's favour

"It could be an positive," he explained to the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had some tough times in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, very positive squad

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to do something special"

Host Team Situation

Australia's net session on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The home side are likely to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Doggett also being included due to health issues to skipper Cummins and colleague Hazlewood