🔗 Share this article

England have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by selecting slow bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on the coming Friday, with the final decision possibly coming down to spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would possibly be the fastest group of seamers they have used in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer the curator commented to anticipate "pace and bounce" from the wicket at the stadium, and it seems likely the English will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the visitors have also noted a dryness to the wicket, bringing the spinner into the running

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australian spin bowler the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have backed Bashir, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for since last year and in recent months he became the youngest England bowler to achieve fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has missed a first-class game following claiming the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Issues

He has been out with a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against the development squad, posting overall statistics of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This presents the scenario of Bashir playing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a county

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

Likely Lineup

However, an English side containing Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The opening match begins at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, expert analysis and real-time features available

Playing Group

Selected players for series opener: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a various successful Ashes campaigns at domestically and internationally have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

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

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that triumphed in those seasons included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in modern times - the English team are hoping to overturn an poor history - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the sixteen-player group have played a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour

"This might be an advantage," he told media outlets

"We've seen a many cricketers who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia

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

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a huge opportunity to do something special"

Host Team Situation

The host team's net session on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

The hosts are probably going to hand a first cap to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped fast bowler Doggett also joining following injuries to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood