The biggest Test rivalry is set to resume! The Ashes rarely needs hype, but Perth has found a way to supply it anyway. A drop-in pitch only a month old, unseasonal weather, and two attacks packed with pace have built a fair bit of noise heading into the first Test. Australia arrive with a reshuffled top order and two debutants. However, they miss two of their biggest assets in Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the opening Test.
England, true to recent form, is still flirting with the idea of an all-pace unit. The Starc vs Archer storyline is already everywhere, but both teams know the bigger test will be handling the surface. England have the best chance in Perth and they need to win here because the second Test is a pink-ball game at the Gabba, where Australia are invincible.
Weatherald & Doggett to debut in Ashes opener
The ageing Australian Test team is about to get fresh faces. Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett are in line for debuts, something that has not happened in an Ashes Test for the hosts since the 2010 to 2011 series. Weatherald becomes Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner retired, but the left-hander has earned the call with solid Shield returns and a strong hit out in Perth.
With this, Marnus Labuschagne moves back to No. 3, where he has looked most settled this season, while Nathan Lyon returns after getting dropped for the Jamaica Test. The middle order picks itself. Steven Smith captains, Travis Head stays at five, and Cameron Green drops back to No. 6 after his stint higher up the order.
What tipped the balance for the selectors was Green’s full return as a bowler. With him fit again, Australia back four frontline quicks and Lyon, rather than pulling in extra cover. Doggett replaces the injured Josh Hazlewood and comes in with 13 wickets at 14.69 this season. His debut also marks the first time Australia will field two Indigenous players in a Test XI. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland complete the attack, while Alex Carey holds the gloves.
Predicted Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (capt), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett
On Bench: Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Josh Inglis
England rely on Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
England have named a 12 but are holding their cards close. Mark Wood has recovered from his hamstring trouble and bowled at good intensity during training. He is almost certain to play, and that alone has pushed the all pace idea deep into the conversation. Perth has been the quickest wicket in Australia over the last decade, and if England ever wanted a venue to try it again, this is the one. The last time they went without a specialist spinner in Australia was 1998.
Shoaib Bashir is the alternative. England rate his high release point and overspin, especially on firmer surfaces, but his recent outing against the Lions was rough, where he leaked 68 runs for one wicket in 12 overs. That complicates matters for Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum but they are likely to go for an all-pace attack. Jofra Archer’s presence is of massive value. If England decide to go heavy with pace, Archer, Wood, Atkinson and Carse will all be in the mix, supported by Stokes. Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett form the top order, with Harry Brook expected to bat at five and Jamie Smith taking the gloves.
Predicted England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood
On Bench: Shoaib Bashir, Jaocb Bethell, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue
