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England have chosen a twelve-player squad just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise place.

The 22-year-old’s selection suggests that the visiting team will delay until the day of the initial match to determine whether Perth Stadium conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spin bowler.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the 12-man squad, indicating there are no doubts about their fast bowler's fitness.

Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the bowling group, with the latter expected to miss out if Bashir enters the starting XI.

Pitch Factors Favor Seamers

Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to choose an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted several past matches.

During these games, 134 wickets have fallen to pace bowling, with only 40 to spin bowling.

Of those 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.

At a venue renowned for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, pledged that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side relying on fast bowlers remains the more likely decision.

Spin Options Weighed

Previously there was rumors that the all-rounder could be brought into the team to offer some spin while additionally bolstering the lower order.

However the coach has opted to keep faith with the young spinner, having said previously that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the series.

In July, Lyon described the English spinner as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still England’s top slow bowler.”

“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for people who lack experience in the past in these conditions,” he remarked of slow bowling in Australian Tests.

“I won't reveal my strategies so opponents perform and perform well out here.”

England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test

• The Captain
• The Pace Bowler
• Gus Atkinson
• The Spinner
• The Batsman
• Brydon Carse
• Zak Crawley
• The Batsman
• Ollie Pope
• Joe Root
• The Wicketkeeper
• The Speedster