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England have left decisions open for the first Ashes Test by naming spin bowler the young spinner in a twelve-player team combined with five pace bowlers

Mark Wood is declared fit and appears likely to feature versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the coming Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly coming down to the young spinner and seamer Carse

Wicket Factors

Should England choose an all-pace attack - four specialists combined with multi-skilled player Stokes - it would potentially be the quickest collection of bowlers they have used in an Ashes Test in the host nation

Earlier this week WA pitch curator Isaac McDonald stated to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable England will follow a traditional approach of an exclusively pace attack

But the visitors have also noted a lack of moisture to the wicket, placing the spinner into the running

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five previous Tests have been staged here - Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29 dismissals

England have backed Shoaib, twenty-two, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in recent months he achieved the most youthful English bowler to achieve half-century of wickets in Tests

However he has been absent from a official match following securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Issues

The spinner has been out with a finger injury and struggled in the single preparation match against the Lions, recording overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the prospect of the spinner playing in an Ashes Test without being attached to a first-class side

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

Likely Lineup

However, an England team including Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Brydon Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90mph - remains the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary and live action clips accessible

Team Selection

England squad for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a number of English Ashes victories at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the identical lineup

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

Raymond Illingworth's winning English side to the host nation in those years had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that succeeded in that period contained Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

This time around - potentially the most exciting Ashes series in recent memory - the visitors are looking to overturn an awful record - they have not won a Test in Australia since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have experienced a Test match in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could work in England's favour

"This might be an benefit," he told media outlets

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

"In our case, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic team

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

Australia's training on Wednesday was momentarily paused by the threat of lightning

The hosts are probably going to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also being included following health issues to captain Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood