🔗 Share this article

The tourists have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by naming spin bowler the young spinner in a twelve-player team alongside five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and seems set to play against Australia in Western Australia on Friday, with the ultimate choice probably coming down to off-spinner Bashir and seamer Carse

Ground Situation

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers combined with multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes Test in Australia

Earlier this week WA groundsman Isaac McDonald said to expect "speed and bounce" from the surface at the stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will adhere to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

However the visitors have also noted a dryness to the wicket, putting the spinner into contention

Spinning Options

In the short history of the ground - five earlier Tests have been staged here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The English management have favored Shoaib, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for since last year and in recent months he became the youngest England bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Test matches

Yet he has missed a first-class game since claiming the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third match at the famous ground in summer

Recent Challenges

He has been recovering from a hand problem and found it difficult in the single preparation match against the development squad, posting combined figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

This creates the possibility of Bashir playing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a county

His deal at his county expired at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an English side featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the expected conclusion

The initial game starts at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips available

Team Selection

England squad for initial Ashes match: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Past Experience

Even though a several successful Ashes campaigns at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The side that triumphed at in England in the memorable competition of that year included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in those years had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that triumphed in those seasons included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent years - England are aiming to reverse an awful record - they have failed to win a five-day game in the host country since 2011

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but the bowler says that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an positive," he told media outlets

"There have been a numerous athletes who have said they have had challenging periods in this country

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic team

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to create history"

Australian Preparations

The Australian net session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning

Australia are expected to hand a first cap to opener Weatherald, with new pace bowler Brendan Doggett also joining after health issues to skipper Cummins and fellow seamer Hazlewood