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The tourists have left decisions open for the initial Ashes match by selecting spin bowler the young spinner in a twelve-player team combined with five pace bowlers

The fast bowler has been passed fit and seems set to play facing the hosts in Western Australia on Friday, with the ultimate choice possibly between the young spinner and seamer Carse

Pitch Conditions

If England opt for an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers plus multi-skilled player Stokes - it would possibly be the fastest group of pacemen they have used in an Ashes match in Australia

On Wednesday local pitch curator Isaac McDonald stated to expect "fast and bouncy conditions" from the pitch at the venue, and it appears probable England will stick to a long-standing plan of an exclusively pace attack

But the tourists have also noted a lack of moisture to the surface, putting the spinner into contention

Slow Bowling Factors

In the short history of the ground - five earlier Tests have been played here - Australian spin bowler Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with twenty-nine

The team have supported the young spinner, 22 years old, as their main slow bowler for over twelve months and in spring he became the least experienced English bowler to attain 50 wickets in Test matches

Yet he has missed a first-class game following securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at Lord's in July

Current Concerns

The spinner has been recovering from a finger injury and found it difficult in the sole practice game against the development squad, returning match figures of two wickets for 151 runs from his bowling spell

This creates the scenario of the spinner competing in an Ashes match without being contracted with a county

His contract at the domestic team expired at the finish of the English season

Expected Selection

Nevertheless, an English side including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, skipper Ben Stokes and Carse - each of whom are capable of reaching 90mph - stays the expected conclusion

The first Test starts at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with instant commentary, expert analysis and in-play highlights provided

Playing Group

Selected players for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Archer, Bashir

Team Background

Even though a number of successful Ashes campaigns at home and abroad have been constructed around fast bowling, they have not previously selected as numerous fast bowlers in the equivalent side

The lineup that won at home in the celebrated contest of 2005 contained Steve Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff

The captain's successful touring team to the host nation in those years had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and Snow, and the England team that triumphed in those seasons featured Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson

Modern Context

This time around - potentially the most exciting Test series in recent memory - the English team are aiming to overturn an awful record - they have been unable to secure a Test match in the host country since that year

Merely five individuals of the 16-man squad have played a Test in the host nation, but the bowler comments that could work in England's favour

"It could be an benefit," he mentioned to the press

"There are a lot of players who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia

"Regarding our team, we are a very relaxed, extremely confident group

"No scarring

"It's very exciting

"We all see it as a huge opportunity to create history"

Host Team Situation

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

The hosts are expected to provide an opportunity to batsman Jack Weatherald, with new seamer Brendan Doggett also being included due to health issues to skipper Pat Cummins and colleague Hazlewood