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

The fast bowler has recovered and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely coming down to spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four specialists along with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the quickest collection of seamers they have deployed in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Earlier this week Western Australia wicket preparer the curator said to expect "pace and bounce" from the wicket at the venue, and it appears probable the tourists will stick to a established strategy of an exclusively pace attack

Yet the visitors have also observed a lack of moisture to the surface, placing Bashir into contention

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of the ground - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have backed Shoaib, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for since last year and in spring he achieved the youngest England bowler to reach 50 wickets in international Tests

Yet he has missed a official match since taking the final wicket in a dramatic victory over India in the third match at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a broken finger and found it difficult in the single preparation match against the Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

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

His deal at Somerset expired at the finish of the English season

Probable Team

Still, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching high speeds - remains the expected conclusion

The initial game begins at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features accessible

Team Selection

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

While a several English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been built on pace, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that succeeded at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 Ashes included Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in 1954-55 contained Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - one of the most eagerly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent memory - the English team are aiming to overturn an awful record - they have failed to win a Test in the host country since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the sixteen-player group have experienced a international Test in Australia, but the bowler says that could work in England's favour

"This might be an positive," he explained to the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have said they have had challenging periods in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident squad

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

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

Host Team Situation

The host team's practice session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

The home side are expected to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also being included following injuries to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood