The visitors Select the off-spinner in Line-up for The Ashes series First Test
The spinner has taken 68 scalps at an mean of 39 across 19 Tests
England have kept their options open for the first Ashes Test by naming off-spinner Bashir in a 12-man squad combined with five seamers
The fast bowler is declared fit and is expected to participate facing the hosts in Western Australia on the weekend, with the final decision possibly between spinner Bashir and fast bowler Brydon Carse
Pitch Conditions
If the visitors select an pace-only bowling lineup - four main pacers along with all-rounder the captain - it would arguably be the most rapid assembly of seamers they have fielded in an Ashes Test in Australia
Recently Western Australia pitch curator the curator commented to look for "pace and bounce" from the pitch at Perth Stadium, and it looks possible the English will stick to a established strategy of an exclusively pace attack
However the visitors have also noted a dryness to the surface, bringing the spinner into the running
Spinning Options
In the short history of this venue - five previous Tests have been played here - Australian off-spinner the experienced spinner is the top wicket-taker with 29
The English management have supported the young spinner, 22 years old, as their first-choice spinner for more than a year and in recent months he became the least experienced English bowler to achieve 50 wickets in international Tests
Yet he has missed a first-class game after securing the final wicket in a thrilling win over India in the final Test at Lord's in summer
Current Concerns
He has been suffering from a finger injury and had challenges in England's only warm-up match against England Lions, recording overall statistics of 2-151 from 24 overs
It also raises the scenario of the spinner participating in an Test against Australia without being contracted with a county
His deal at Somerset expired at the conclusion of the domestic season
Probable Team
However, an English side including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Stokes and Carse - every one of them are able to achieve 90mph - remains the most likely outcome
The initial game starts at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with real-time updates, expert analysis and in-play highlights accessible
Team Selection
Team lineup for first Ashes Test: Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (leader), Smith (wicketkeeper), Atkinson, Carse, Wood, Archer, Bashir
Past Experience
While a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have not previously used as multiple quick bowlers in the equivalent side
The team that won at domestically in the memorable competition of 2005 Ashes included Harmison, Jones and Andrew Flintoff
Illingworth's winning English side to Australia in that era had Bob Willis, Lever and Snow, and the English side that triumphed in those seasons included Brian Statham and Tyson
Present Circumstances
In this instance - among the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent years - the English team are hoping to overturn an poor history - they have been unable to secure a five-day game in Australia since over a decade ago
Only five members of the 16-man squad have experienced a Test match in Australia, but Atkinson comments that could help the visitors
"This might be an benefit," he mentioned to media outlets
"There have been a numerous athletes who have mentioned they have had challenging periods here in Australia
"For us, we are a extremely composed, highly optimistic team
"No negative experiences
"It's very exciting
"The entire team views it as a great possibility to create history"
Host Team Situation
The host team's training on Wednesday was temporarily interrupted by the threat of lightning
Australia are likely to provide an opportunity to batsman Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also being included following injuries to skipper Cummins and teammate Josh Hazlewood