Overview
- England completed a single three-day tune-up against the Lions, with Zak Crawley saying the limited preparation will be enough for the Nov. 21 opener in Perth.
- Jofra Archer bowled 17.3 overs unscathed in the tour match and, described by teammate Brydon Carse as in a "happy place," is pressing hard for selection.
- Mark Wood felt hamstring tightness and was cleared by scans, yet his brief workload leaves his availability for the first Test in doubt.
- Selectors have not settled on an all-pace attack versus a specialist spinner for Optus Stadium; Shoaib Bashir played for the Lions as Joe Root covered overs.
- Australia ruled out Pat Cummins (back) and Josh Hazlewood (hamstring) for Perth, with Scott Boland in the frame and Brendan Doggett likely to debut alongside Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.