England Include Shoaib Bashir in Squad for Ashes Opener

England have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by including off-spinner Bashir in a squad of twelve combined with five seamers

Mark Wood has recovered and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Western Australia on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between the young spinner and pace bowler Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers plus multi-skilled player the captain - it would possibly be the fastest group of bowlers they have deployed in an Test against Australia in the host nation

On Wednesday local pitch curator the curator commented to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible England will adhere to a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

However the visitors have also spotted a lack of moisture to the wicket, putting the off-spinner into contention

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of the ground - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have supported Shoaib, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in spring he became the least experienced English bowler to reach half-century of wickets in Tests

Yet he has not played a official match following securing the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over India in the third match at the famous ground in July

Recent Issues

He has been out with a hand problem and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, returning match figures of 2 for 151 from 24 overs

It also raises the scenario of the spinner competing in an Ashes Test without being affiliated with a first-class side

His contract at Somerset concluded at the finish of the English season

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - each of whom are likely to hit high speeds - continues to be the probable result

The first Test commences at 2:20 AM GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips available

Playing Group

Team lineup for initial Ashes match: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Although a several English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that succeeded at home in the celebrated contest of that year included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the English side that succeeded in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in recent years - the visitors are looking to reverse an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test in Australia since over a decade ago

Only five members of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but the bowler comments that could work in England's favour

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

"There are a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had challenging periods in this country

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

"No negative experiences

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to create history"

Opposition News

The host team's practice session on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are expected to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with uncapped seamer Doggett also joining following fitness concerns to skipper Cummins and teammate Hazlewood