Overview
- Jofra Archer completed 17.3 overs unscathed in the Lilac Hill game and is firming for selection for the first Test.
- Mark Wood was cleared by scans after hamstring tightness but remains uncertain for Perth after bowling only eight overs.
- England played just one three-day warm-up against the Lions, a plan criticised by former players that Ben Stokes has publicly defended.
- Selectors have not settled the XI for Optus Stadium, weighing an all-pace attack against picking a specialist spinner.
- Australia will be without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the opener, with Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon and likely debutant Brendan Doggett to lead the attack.