PERTH: England opted to bat first against Australia in the Ashes series opener on Friday after captain Ben Stokes won the toss under clear blue skies at Perth Stadium.
After naming a 12-man squad for the match, the visitors opted for a fast-paced starting line-up, leaving out Shoaib Bashir in favor of Brydon Carse.
“We’ll try to put some points on the board and then see where we are,” Stokes said. “We need to clarify everything we want to achieve here in Australia, that starts today.”
Australia’s Steve Smith, captain of the injured Pat Cummins, struck an optimistic tone after losing the toss.
“I hope it will be everywhere this morning. I think the cracks will come into play, like they do every year,” Smith said. “I think if we put the ball in the right areas this morning there will definitely be enough.”
Australia awarded their first Test caps to specialist opener Jake Weatherald and fast bowler Brendan Doggett, who put his hand up for selection with 13 wickets in two matches for South Australia in a dynamic start to the domestic Sheffield Shield season.
“He kind of glides through the crease, making it look pretty easy,” pace spearhead Mitchell Starc said of Doggett.
“So, yeah, he’s got air speed, he’s got great skills, swing, seams and he’s just having a hot streak, so hopefully that continues this week.”
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
