Overview
- The five-Test series starts Friday at Optus Stadium in Perth, with further matches set for Brisbane under lights, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
- Steve Smith captains in Cummins’s absence, with Australia weighing top-order options such as debutant candidate Jake Weatherald and seam choices including Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser alongside Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon.
- England arrive with a speed-heavy plan featuring Jofra Archer with the new ball, Mark Wood bowling at full throttle in nets, and Gus Atkinson in contention, with Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse vying for spots.
- Marnus Labuschagne says he is batting better than at any time since 2019 and relishes renewing his duel with Archer, though his exact batting position remains under consideration.
- Joe Root, ranked No. 1 by the ICC, seeks a first Test century in Australia as teammates express confidence despite his previous drought on Australian pitches.