England Name Bashir in Squad for The Ashes series First Test

England have maintained flexibility for the initial Ashes match by selecting spin bowler the young spinner in a twelve-player team alongside five seamers

The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice likely between the young spinner and seamer Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

If England opt for an all-pace attack - four specialists combined with multi-skilled player the captain - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of seamers they have deployed in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Earlier this week WA wicket preparer Isaac McDonald stated to expect "pace and bounce" from the pitch at the stadium, and it appears probable England will adhere to a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

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

Spin Considerations

In the short history of this venue - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australia off-spinner Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The team have favored Shoaib, 22, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in spring he achieved the youngest England bowler to attain half-century of wickets in international Tests

But he has been absent from a first-class game following securing the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the final Test at the famous ground in recently

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been recovering from a broken finger and struggled in the sole practice game against the Lions, returning match figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

It also raises the scenario of the spinner participating in an Ashes Test without being attached to a county

His deal at the domestic team expired at the end of the home summer

Probable Team

Still, an visiting team including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90mph - remains the expected conclusion

The first Test starts at early morning GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips available

Playing Group

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

Team Background

While a several English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been built on pace, they have not previously used as numerous fast bowlers in the same team

The team that triumphed at domestically in the famous series of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that won in those seasons included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Present Circumstances

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in recent memory - the English team are hoping to overturn an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test in Australia since that year

Only five members of the 16-man squad have played a international Test in the host nation, but the bowler states that could work in England's favour

"This could represent an benefit," he told the press

"There have been a numerous athletes who have stated they have had challenging periods here in Australia

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

"No scarring

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a huge opportunity to achieve something remarkable"

Australian Preparations

Australia's net session on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with yet to debut fast bowler Brendan Doggett also being included following injuries to captain Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood