🔗 Share this article

England have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting slow bowler the young spinner in a squad of twelve together with five seamers

Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Western Australia on the weekend, with the last selection possibly coming down to off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four specialists plus all-rounder the captain - it would arguably be the fastest group of seamers they have deployed in an Test against Australia in Australia

Earlier this week Western Australia wicket preparer Isaac McDonald said to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will adhere to a established strategy of an exclusively pace attack

But the visitors have also noted a lack of moisture to the surface, placing Bashir into consideration

Slow Bowling Factors

Throughout the limited timeframe of the ground - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australia spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

England have backed Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the least experienced English bowler to reach fifty wickets in international Tests

Yet he has been absent from a first-class game following taking the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in July

Current Concerns

He has been suffering from a broken finger and had challenges in the sole practice game against England Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from his bowling spell

It also raises the prospect of him competing in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a county

His contract at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Expected Selection

However, an English side featuring Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90mph - stays the expected conclusion

The first Test begins at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips accessible

England Squad

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Smith (wk), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a number of English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the same team

The lineup that won at home in the famous series of 2005 contained Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to the host nation in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series in modern times - the English team are looking to overturn an poor history - they have not won a Test in the host country since over a decade ago

Only five members of the 16-man squad have experienced a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could help the visitors

"This could represent an advantage," he explained to the press

"There have been a many cricketers who have said they have had difficult experiences in this country

"For us, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic group

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a massive chance to create history"

Opposition News

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

The hosts are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Doggett also being included following fitness concerns to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood