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England have maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on the coming Friday, with the last selection likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse

Pitch Conditions

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four specialists plus multi-skilled player Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have used in an Test against Australia in the host nation

Recently Western Australia groundsman McDonald commented to look for "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will follow a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

Yet the English team have also observed a lack of moisture to the pitch, placing the spinner into the running

Spinning Options

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with 29

England have favored the young spinner, 22 years old, as their primary spin option for since last year and in May he achieved the least experienced English bowler to reach fifty wickets in Test matches

But he has not played a competitive game since taking the final wicket in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Issues

The spinner has been recovering from a finger injury and had challenges in the single preparation match against England Lions, posting overall statistics of 2-151 from twenty-four overs

It also raises the prospect of Bashir playing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a first-class side

The agreement at Somerset expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

Still, an English side featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90 miles per hour - remains the most likely outcome

The first Test starts at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, Test Match Special commentary and real-time features available

England Squad

England squad for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

While a number of English Ashes victories at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that triumphed at in England in the memorable competition of 2005 featured Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's successful touring team to Australia in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in 1954-55 contained Brian Statham and Tyson

Present Circumstances

This time around - potentially the most exciting Test series in modern times - England are hoping to reverse an poor history - they have not won a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Only five members of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in Australia, but the bowler states that could help the visitors

"It could be an benefit," he mentioned to reporters

"There are a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"In our case, we are a extremely composed, extremely confident group

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

"The entire team views it as a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

The host team's net session on recently was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning

The home side are likely to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with new fast bowler Brendan Doggett also being included following injuries to skipper Cummins and colleague Hazlewood