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The tourists have maintained flexibility for the first Ashes Test by selecting slow bowler Shoaib Bashir in a squad of twelve alongside five seamers

Wood has been passed fit and is expected to participate versus the Aussies in Perth Stadium on the weekend, with the ultimate choice likely involving spinner Bashir and fast bowler Carse

Pitch Conditions

If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers combined with all-rounder Ben Stokes - it would possibly be the most rapid assembly of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in this country

Earlier this week Western Australia wicket preparer Isaac McDonald stated to expect "pace and bounce" from the wicket at the stadium, and it appears probable the English will stick to a traditional approach of an pace-only strategy

But the English team have also spotted a arid quality to the wicket, putting Bashir into consideration

Spinning Options

During the brief existence of Perth Stadium - five prior matches have been played here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the top wicket-taker with 29 dismissals

England have backed the young spinner, twenty-two, as their primary spin option for since last year and in recent months he became the most youthful English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Tests

But he has not played a official match after taking the last dismissal in a thrilling win over India in the third match at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

Bashir has been suffering from a hand problem and struggled in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, returning combined figures of 2 for 151 from his bowling spell

It also raises the prospect of him playing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a first-class side

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

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an visiting team including Wood, Jofra Archer, Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are likely to hit 90mph - continues to be the most likely outcome

The initial game commences at 02:20 GMT on the weekend, with live text coverage, specialist radio coverage and real-time features available

Playing Group

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

Team Background

Although a several English Ashes victories at in England and overseas have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the same team

The side that won at in England in the famous series of that year featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's triumphant visitors to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that won in 1954-55 included Statham and Tyson

Modern Context

On this occasion - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent memory - England are looking to change an difficult past - they have failed to win a five-day game in the host country since over a decade ago

Just five players of the sixteen-player group have played a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson says that could work in England's favour

"It could be an advantage," he told media outlets

"There have been a many cricketers who have stated they have had some tough times in this country

"For us, we are a quite calm, very positive squad

"No negative experiences

"It's very exciting

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

Australian Preparations

The host team's practice session on this week was temporarily interrupted by the risk of storms

The hosts are likely to hand a first cap to opener Weatherald, with yet to debut seamer Brendan Doggett also being included following health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Josh Hazlewood