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The tourists have kept their options open for the initial Ashes match by including spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve together with five pace bowlers

Wood is declared fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Perth on the weekend, with the ultimate choice probably involving the young spinner and pace bowler Brydon Carse

Wicket Factors

If the visitors select an fast bowling unit - four dedicated bowlers plus all-rounder Stokes - it would possibly be the quickest collection of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in Australia

Earlier this week local wicket preparer McDonald said to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it appears probable England will follow a long-standing plan of an fast bowling focus

Yet the English team have also observed a lack of moisture to the surface, placing the off-spinner into contention

Spinning Options

In the short history of Perth Stadium - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 29

The English management have favored the young spinner, 22, as their first-choice spinner for over twelve months and in recent months he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain 50 wickets in Test matches

However he has not played a first-class game following taking the last dismissal in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in recently

Recent Challenges

Bashir has been recovering from a broken finger and had challenges in the single preparation match against England Lions, posting overall statistics of 2-151 from 24 overs

This presents the prospect of him playing in an Ashes Test without being attached to a county

The agreement at the domestic team ended at the end of the home summer

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an England team featuring Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Carse - all of whom are likely to hit 90mph - continues to be the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at early morning GMT on the weekend, with real-time updates, expert analysis and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Jamie Smith (gloveman), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Shoaib Bashir

Team Background

Even though a number of England Ashes triumphs at domestically and internationally have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as many express pace bowlers in the same team

The team that won at domestically in the famous series of 2005 Ashes featured Harmison, Simon Jones and Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - among the most highly anticipated Test series in modern times - the English team are hoping to overturn an poor history - they have been unable to secure a Test in the host country since 2011

Only five members of the extended squad have played a Test in the host nation, but the bowler says that could benefit the English team

"This might be an benefit," he mentioned to the press

"There are a lot of players who have mentioned they have had difficult experiences in this country

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic squad

"No bad memories

"It's exhilarating

"Everyone considers it a great possibility to achieve something remarkable"

Host Team Situation

The Australian net session on recently was momentarily paused by the possibility of bad weather

The home side are likely to hand a first cap to batsman Weatherald, with yet to debut pace bowler Doggett also being included following health issues to captain Cummins and teammate Hazlewood