Overview
- The series begins Friday at Optus Stadium in Perth, with England aiming to reclaim the urn for the first time since 2015 and end a winless run in Australia since 2010-11.
- Australia will be without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the first Test through injury, with Steve Smith set to captain in Cummins’ absence.
- England have assembled an express-pace battery featuring Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts, with Wood cleared after a hamstring scare.
- Early inspections reported a light green tinge and even grass on the Perth pitch that is expected to dry before Friday, pointing to seam assistance early and potential reward for batting first.
- Ben Stokes’ fitness and ability to bowl are seen as decisive for England’s prospects, with Mark Ramprakash backing England if he plays all five Tests and Stuart Broad stressing the need to land blows in the opening two matches.