Overview
- England great James Anderson agreed with Stuart Broad that this is Australia's weakest team in about 15 years yet still backed the hosts as slight favourites in home conditions.
- Pat Cummins is sidelined by a lower‑back injury for the first Test and says he is on track to return for the day‑night second Test in Brisbane on December 4.
- Steve Smith will captain Australia in the series opener in Perth on Friday, November 21.
- Australia has not settled its top three, with Usman Khawaja set to open and options including a Jake Weatherald debut, a Marnus Labuschagne recall, and a possible reshuffle for Cameron Green.
- England has not won an Ashes series in Australia since 2010–11 and has recorded 13 defeats and two draws in the last 15 Tests there.