Stokes said the tourists, who have not won a series in Australia for 15 years, had “an opportunity to write our own history” and return as Ashes winners in mid-January.
Australia, meanwhile, are severely depleted with Pat Cummins (back) and Josh Hazlewood (hamstring) unavailable, prompting two debut caps for opener Jake Weatherald and seamer Brendan Doggett — their first instance of multiple debutants in a Test since 2019.
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith said he would also have chosen to bat but expected early seam movement. Weatherald’s selection restores Marnus Labuschagne to his preferred No. 3 position after a prolific domestic run, while Cameron Green retains the all-rounder role. Doggett joins Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the pace attack, with Smith praising his improvement in recent years.
Veteran Nathan Lyon plays his 140th Test and needs two wickets to surpass Glenn McGrath on the all-time list. Smith said the pitch resembled last year’s wicket, predicting pace and bounce. England last won in Australia in 2010-11, drawing the 2023 home series 2-2.
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