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The tourists have kept their options open for the series opener by including spin bowler the young spinner in a 12-man squad combined with five fast bowlers

Mark Wood has been passed fit and appears likely to feature against Australia in Perth on Friday, with the last selection likely coming down to off-spinner Bashir and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would possibly be the fastest group of bowlers they have fielded in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald stated to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible the tourists will adhere to a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

However the tourists have also noted a lack of moisture to the pitch, bringing the off-spinner into the running

Slow Bowling Factors

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

The team have supported Shoaib, 22, as their primary spin option for since last year and in spring he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to reach fifty wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a official match after taking the final wicket in a exciting triumph over India in the third match at Lord's in recently

Recent Challenges

He has been recovering from a hand problem and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, recording combined figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

It also raises the scenario of him participating in an Test against Australia without being affiliated with a first-class side

The agreement at his county concluded at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

However, an visiting team featuring Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90mph - continues to be the most likely outcome

The opening match starts at 2:20 AM GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, Test Match Special commentary and in-play highlights accessible

Playing Group

Team lineup for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Stokes (skipper), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Even though a various English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that won at in England in the memorable competition of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the English side that succeeded in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

In this instance - potentially the most exciting England-Australia contests in modern times - the visitors are looking to reverse an awful record - they have failed to win a Test match in the host country since that year

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could benefit the English team

"This could represent an advantage," he explained to reporters

"We've seen a lot of players who have stated they have had some tough times in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, very positive team

"No scarring

"It's exhilarating

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

Opposition News

The Australian practice session on recently was briefly delayed by the possibility of bad weather

Australia are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Doggett also joining following fitness concerns to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood