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The tourists have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by naming spin bowler Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five pace bowlers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Western Australia on the weekend, with the ultimate choice likely coming down to spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers plus multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the fastest group of seamers they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

On Wednesday WA pitch curator McDonald stated to look for "pace and bounce" from the surface at the venue, and it seems likely the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the English team have also spotted a lack of moisture to the wicket, bringing the off-spinner into contention

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of the ground - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have supported Shoaib, 22, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in May he became the least experienced English bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in Test matches

Yet he has missed a first-class game after securing the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a finger injury and struggled in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, posting match figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This creates the prospect of him playing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a domestic team

His deal at his county concluded at the end of the home summer

Likely Lineup

However, an visiting team featuring Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are likely to hit 90mph - remains the probable result

The initial game begins at early morning GMT on the weekend, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips provided

Team Selection

Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (leader), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

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

The lineup that succeeded at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in 1954-55 contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - among the most highly anticipated England-Australia contests in recent years - England are aiming to change an awful record - they have not won a Test match in the host country since over a decade ago

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have participated in a Test match in the host nation, but the bowler states that could benefit the English team

"This might be an positive," he mentioned to reporters

"There are a numerous athletes who have stated they have had some tough times down under

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic group

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"The entire team views it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

The host team's training on this week was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

The home side are probably going to give a debut to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included following fitness concerns to skipper Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood