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The English side has kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by naming slow bowler the young spinner in a 12-man squad together with five pace bowlers

Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four specialists combined with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the quickest collection of bowlers they have used in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week WA pitch curator McDonald said to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the venue, and it appears probable England will adhere to a traditional approach of an fast bowling focus

But the tourists have also observed a arid quality to the wicket, putting the off-spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five previous Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

The team have supported Bashir, twenty-two, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in May he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach 50 wickets in international Tests

But he has missed a first-class game following securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in July

Current Concerns

The spinner has been recovering from a finger injury and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, recording combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the scenario of him playing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a first-class side

His contract at Somerset concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

However, an English side containing Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - each of whom are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, expert analysis and in-play highlights accessible

England Squad

England squad for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Although a various English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have never fielded as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The team that succeeded at home in the famous series of that year featured Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in 1954-55 featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in modern times - England are aiming to reverse an awful record - they have failed to win a Test in Australia since 2011

Only five members of the extended squad have played a Test in the host nation, but the bowler states that could benefit the English team

"This might be an benefit," he mentioned to the press

"We've seen a lot of players who have said they have had difficult experiences in this country

"For us, we are a quite calm, very positive squad

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to do something special"

Opposition News

Australia's net session on recently was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

The home side are likely to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Doggett also being included due to fitness concerns to skipper Cummins and colleague Hazlewood