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The tourists have left decisions open for the series opener by naming spin bowler the young spinner in a 12-man squad combined with five seamers

The fast bowler has recovered and appears likely to feature facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly between the young spinner and fast bowler Carse

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers plus all-rounder the captain - it would arguably be the quickest collection of bowlers they have fielded in an Test against Australia in this country

On Wednesday WA groundsman Isaac McDonald stated to expect "pace and bounce" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable the tourists will stick to a established strategy of an pace-only strategy

But the visitors have also observed a lack of moisture to the wicket, putting the off-spinner into consideration

Spinning Options

Throughout the limited timeframe of this venue - five previous Tests have been hosted here - Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The English management have supported the young spinner, twenty-two, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in May he achieved the most youthful English bowler to reach fifty wickets in Test matches

However he has been absent from a official match since taking the concluding scalp in a exciting triumph over the Indian team in the third Test at Lord's in July

Recent Challenges

The spinner has been suffering from a finger injury and found it difficult in England's only warm-up match against the Lions, recording overall statistics of two wickets for 151 runs from 24 overs

This creates the possibility of the spinner participating in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a domestic team

His contract at his county concluded at the conclusion of the domestic season

Probable Team

However, an English side containing Mark Wood, Archer, Atkinson, captain Stokes and Brydon Carse - all of whom are able to achieve 90 miles per hour - stays the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at early morning GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, specialist radio coverage and in-play highlights provided

Team Selection

Team lineup for series opener: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Pope, Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Smith (gloveman), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Jofra Archer, Bashir

Past Experience

While a number of England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the same team

The lineup that succeeded at home in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff

Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in that era had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the English side that won in those seasons included Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Test series in recent memory - the visitors are looking to overturn an awful record - they have not won a Test match in Australia since over a decade ago

Merely five individuals of the extended squad have played a international Test in Australia, but the bowler states that could work in England's favour

"It could be an benefit," he told the press

"There are a many cricketers who have stated they have had difficult experiences down under

"Regarding our team, we are a quite calm, highly optimistic squad

"No negative experiences

"It's thrilling

"Everyone considers it a massive chance to do something special"

Host Team Situation

The Australian practice session on this week was briefly delayed by the risk of storms

The hosts are probably going to provide an opportunity to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included after injuries to skipper Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood