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The tourists have left decisions open for the series opener by including off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five seamers

The fast bowler has recovered and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth on the coming Friday, with the last selection possibly between the young spinner and fast bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists plus multi-skilled player the captain - it would arguably be the fastest group of bowlers they have used in an Test against Australia in the host nation

Recently Western Australia groundsman McDonald stated to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the surface at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will stick to a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

Yet the English team have also noted a lack of moisture to the pitch, putting Bashir into contention

Spin Considerations

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The team have supported Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in recent months he became the most youthful English bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in international Tests

Yet he has not played a competitive game following securing the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Challenges

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 two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

This creates the scenario of the spinner competing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a first-class side

His contract at Somerset concluded at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

Still, an England team including Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are able to achieve high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The first Test begins at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, expert analysis and live action clips provided

England Squad

Selected players for series opener: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Even though a several England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that won at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in those seasons included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in modern times - the visitors are aiming to reverse an poor history - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have experienced a Test in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour

"It could be an benefit," he mentioned to media outlets

"There are a numerous athletes who have stated they have had challenging periods in this country

"For us, we are a quite calm, extremely confident squad

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to do something special"

Australian Preparations

Australia's training on recently was briefly delayed by the possibility of bad weather

The hosts are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Brendan Doggett also joining after health issues to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood