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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by naming off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve together with five pace bowlers

Wood is declared fit and seems set to play against Australia in Perth on the coming Friday, with the last selection probably involving the young spinner and fast bowler the seamer

Ground Situation

If England opt for an fast bowling unit - four specialists combined with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the fastest group of bowlers they have deployed in an Ashes Test in the host nation

On Wednesday local wicket preparer the curator commented to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the venue, and it appears probable the English will adhere to a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

However the tourists have also observed a lack of moisture to the surface, putting the off-spinner into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been played here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler 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 became the least experienced English bowler to reach fifty wickets in Test matches

However he has not played a first-class game following taking the concluding scalp in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Challenges

He has been out with a finger injury and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, posting overall statistics of 2-151 from 24 overs

This presents the possibility of him participating in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a county

The agreement at the domestic team ended at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

However, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit high speeds - remains the expected conclusion

The opening match starts at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features provided

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (skipper), Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Although a number of successful Ashes campaigns at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The side that triumphed at in England in the memorable competition of 2005 contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that triumphed in those seasons featured Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent memory - England are looking to change an difficult past - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have played a international Test in Australia, but the bowler comments that could benefit the English team

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

"There are a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"For us, we are a extremely composed, very positive squad

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"We all see it as a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

The Australian practice session on this week was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Doggett also being included after health issues to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood