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England have left decisions open for the series opener by naming spin bowler the young spinner in a squad of twelve together with five fast bowlers

The fast bowler has recovered and is expected to participate against Australia in Western Australia on Friday, with the ultimate choice likely involving off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in the host nation

Earlier this week local wicket preparer the curator commented to anticipate "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely the tourists will stick to a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

Yet the English team have also spotted a arid quality to the pitch, placing Bashir into contention

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of the ground - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29

The English management have backed the young spinner, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for more than a year and in spring he achieved the youngest England bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Tests

But he has not played a official match after taking the final wicket in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the third Test at the famous ground in July

Current Concerns

The spinner has been recovering from a finger injury and had challenges in the single preparation match against the development squad, recording match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the scenario of him playing in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a first-class side

His contract at the domestic team ended at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

However, an visiting team including Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Ben Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve high speeds - remains the probable result

The first Test begins at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, expert analysis and in-play highlights available

Playing Group

Selected players for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

While a number of England Ashes triumphs at in England and overseas have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The side that won at in England in the celebrated contest of 2005 contained Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's successful touring team to the host nation in that era had Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the English side that triumphed in those seasons included Brian Statham and Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent years - the visitors are hoping to overturn an awful record - they have not won a Test match in the host country since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have experienced a Test in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an benefit," he told reporters

"There have been a numerous athletes who have said they have had some tough times in this country

"For us, we are a quite calm, very positive group

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

"We all see it as a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

The Australian training on recently was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

Australia are probably going to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Brendan Doggett also being included due to injuries to captain Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood