🔗 Share this article England Include Bashir in Line-up for Ashes First Test He has secured 68 scalps at an mean of 39 across 19 Tests The tourists have maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by selecting off-spinner the young spinner in a 12-man squad together with five fast bowlers Mark Wood is declared fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the ultimate choice likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse Pitch Conditions If England opt for an all-pace attack - four main pacers plus all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would arguably be the fastest group of pacemen they have deployed in an Test against Australia in the host nation On Wednesday WA groundsman the curator stated to anticipate "speed and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it seems likely England will adhere to a established strategy of an exclusively pace attack Yet the English team have also noted a arid quality to the pitch, placing the off-spinner into consideration Spinning Options During the brief existence of the ground - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australian off-spinner Lyon is the top wicket-taker with twenty-nine The team have backed the young spinner, 22, as their main slow bowler for since last year and in recent months he achieved the most youthful English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Test matches But he has been absent from a first-class game after claiming the concluding scalp in a thrilling win over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in July Recent Challenges He has been suffering from a finger injury and found it difficult in the sole practice game against England Lions, posting match figures of 2-151 from 24 overs This creates the scenario of him playing in an Ashes match without being contracted with a domestic team The agreement at his county expired at the end of the home summer Probable Team However, an English side including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, leader Stokes and Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching 90mph - continues to be the expected conclusion The first Test begins at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights available Playing Group Selected players for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir Team Background While a various England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup The team that succeeded at home in the famous series of 2005 Ashes featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff The captain's winning English side to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in those seasons contained Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson Present Circumstances This time around - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in recent years - the visitors are looking to reverse an difficult past - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in the host country since that year Just five players of the extended squad have played a Test in Australia, but Atkinson says that could benefit the English team "It could be an benefit," he explained to media outlets "There have been a numerous athletes who have said they have had some tough times in this country "Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, very positive squad "No bad memories "It's exhilarating "We all see it as a massive chance to create history" Australian Preparations The Australian practice session on recently was temporarily interrupted by the possibility of bad weather The home side are likely to provide an opportunity to opener Weatherald, with new pace bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in due to injuries to captain Pat Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood