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England have maintained flexibility for the series opener by selecting slow bowler the young spinner in a squad of twelve alongside five seamers

Wood has been passed fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Western Australia on the weekend, with the final decision possibly coming down to the young spinner and seamer Brydon Carse

Ground Situation

Should England choose an pace-only bowling lineup - four dedicated bowlers plus multi-skilled player Stokes - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of seamers they have fielded in an Ashes match in the host nation

Recently WA wicket preparer the curator stated to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the wicket at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible the tourists will adhere to a established strategy of an fast bowling focus

But the tourists have also spotted a dryness to the wicket, placing the spinner into consideration

Spin Considerations

During the brief existence of the ground - five earlier Tests have been hosted here - Australia spin bowler Lyon is the most successful bowler with 29

The team have favored the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in recent months he was recognized as the youngest England bowler to attain 50 wickets in Tests

But he has been absent from a first-class game after claiming the concluding scalp in a dramatic victory over the Indian team in the final Test at Lord's in summer

Recent Issues

The spinner has been suffering from a hand problem and found it difficult in the sole practice game against the Lions, recording combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs

This creates the possibility of him playing in an Ashes match without being affiliated with a domestic team

His deal at Somerset expired at the conclusion of the domestic season

Likely Lineup

Nevertheless, an England team containing Mark Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, leader Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse - every one of them are capable of reaching 90mph - remains the most likely outcome

The first Test commences at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, expert analysis and real-time features accessible

Playing Group

Team lineup for series opener: Ben Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir

Historical Context

Even though a various successful Ashes campaigns at home and abroad have been founded on quick bowling, they have not previously selected as multiple quick bowlers in the identical lineup

The team that succeeded at domestically in the celebrated contest of 2005 featured Steve Harmison, Jones and Flintoff

Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in that era had Willis, Lever and John Snow, and the visiting team that triumphed in that period featured Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Current Situation

In this instance - one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent years - the visitors are aiming to reverse an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test match in Australia since 2011

Just five players of the extended squad have played a international Test in the host nation, but Atkinson states that could help the visitors

"This might be an benefit," he told reporters

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

"For us, we are a very relaxed, highly optimistic team

"No bad memories

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a massive chance to achieve something remarkable"

Opposition News

The host team's practice session on recently was momentarily paused by the risk of storms

Australia are probably going to provide an opportunity to batsman Weatherald, with new fast bowler Doggett also joining after injuries to skipper Cummins and teammate Hazlewood