Overview
- Smith will captain Australia in the first Test on 21 November with Pat Cummins unavailable for the opener.
- England’s only warm-up is a three-day game against the England Lions in Perth, a plan Trescothick says is standard in the modern era.
- Trescothick argues Australia’s bounce could suit England’s attacking batting, reinforcing confidence in the Bazball approach.
- Simon Katich predicts England will test Smith with sustained short-pitched bowling, and Ian Botham highlights Brydon Carse as a potential pace surprise.
- Mitchell Starc urges curators to prepare bowler-friendly pitches, while selection signals point to Ollie Pope at No. 3 and Marnus Labuschagne pressing his case as Jake Weatherald struggles.