England Select Shoaib Bashir in Team for Ashes First Test
He has secured 68 scalps at an mean of 39 across nineteen Test matches
The tourists have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by naming off-spinner the young spinner in a twelve-player team together with five fast bowlers
Mark Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play versus the Aussies in Perth on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly involving the young spinner and fast bowler Carse
Wicket Factors
If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four specialists along with all-rounder the captain - it would possibly be the quickest collection of seamers they have used in an Ashes Test in this country
Recently local groundsman the curator said to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will follow a established strategy of an fast bowling focus
However the visitors have also noted a lack of moisture to the wicket, putting the spinner into the running
Spin Considerations
Throughout the limited timeframe of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler the experienced spinner is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals
England have supported the young spinner, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in recent months he became the youngest England bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in international Tests
But he has not played a first-class game following claiming the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the final Test 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 Lions, returning combined figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs
It also raises the possibility of him participating in an Ashes Test without being contracted with a county
The agreement at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season
Probable Team
Nevertheless, an visiting team containing Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching 90 miles per hour - stays the most likely outcome
The initial game begins at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and live action clips provided
England Squad
Team lineup for series opener: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (captain), Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir
Historical Context
Although a number of successful Ashes campaigns at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup
The lineup that won at home in the memorable competition of that year featured Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff
The captain's successful touring team to the host nation in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the England team that succeeded in 1954-55 contained Statham and Tyson
Current Situation
In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in modern times - the visitors are aiming to reverse an awful record - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago
Only five members of the 16-man squad have played a Test match in the host nation, but Atkinson comments that could work in England's favour
"This might be an positive," he told media outlets
"There are a lot of players who have said they have had challenging periods here in Australia
"In our case, we are a quite calm, very positive squad
"No negative experiences
"It's thrilling
"We all see it as a massive chance to do something special"
Australian Preparations
Australia's practice session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning
The home side are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett also being included following health issues to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Hazlewood