Overview
- First Test is set for November 21-25 at Optus Stadium, where an early light-green, evenly grassed pitch is expected to dry into a fast, bouncy surface.
- Steve Smith will captain Australia for the opener in Perth with Cummins unavailable, according to AFP.
- Cameron Green says he is fit to bowl with no restrictions, boosting an attack likely to feature Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon.
- England arrive with rare high-end speed options in Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts; Wood was cleared after a warm-up hamstring scare.
- Stuart Broad says England must strike early, warning the first two Tests are pivotal given England’s 15-match winless run in Australia since the 2010-11 tour.