Australia have kept England guessing on the make up of their bowling attack for the first Ashes Test after opting against naming a team on the eve of the match.
Coach Andrew McDonald, captain Pat Cummins and selector George Bailey were engaged in a lengthy pitch-side chat early on Thursday afternoon before training.
And the pitch itself looks more like a wicket you would see in Australia than the green seamers that England have traditionally rolled out for Ashes contests.
Looking dry and straw coloured, it is expected to be flat but not quite as fast as an Australian wicket, which is exactly what home skipper Ben Stokes was hoping to see as it suits their Bazball up-tempo style.
But it will also be a welcome sight to Australia’s batters who can find pitch movement a problem in England when confronted with the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and Stokes himself, if he is able to overcome his ongoing knee injury.
After inspecting the wicket, Cummins addressed the media and confirmed he had decided on a team, but would wait until the toss on Friday to name it once players had been told.
“I’m sure there will be surprises like there always are. But there are probably less unknowns than some other tours,” Cummins said. “India are spinning wickets, that is far more foreign than playing three fast bowlers here in England.
“That takes a lot of problem-solving (in India). I am sure we will get presented with a lot of different problems this series that we have to work through. But I have played here a little bit. The opposition we have played a lot against.”
Pat Cummins and Andrew McDonald inspect the pitch. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Australia’s selection call is one of the most intriguing in years, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland all vying to join Cummins in the attack.
Boland has taken 33 wickets at an average of 14.57 in his eight Tests, but has never been picked when all three of Australia’s regular quicks are available.
There is one argument that he is now ‘undroppable’, after being Australia’s best bowler in last week’s World Test Championship final against India.
But Australia have long been loyal to a pace attack of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, with the latter back fit and Starc offering variety as a left-arm option.
“We were just weighing up the different options,” Cummins said.
“The big difference from last week is Josh Hazlewood is back available, so just some conversations to be had around who we think the best XI is for this one.”
None of Australia’s quicks bowled on Thursday, as is convention on the day before a match.
However Boland attended training, did not bat and walked off with physio Nick Jones after handing water to team coaching staff.
Whoever misses out at Edgbaston will likely still play a role through the six-and-a-half-week series, with the quicks expected to be rotated throughout.
Scott Boland celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
“You weigh up everything,” Cummins said.
“When you have such quality assets to throw at it, I don’t think there is a wrong answer.
“You judge what you value more, whether it is data from past series, how someone’s injury is tracking, how they are going lately, the make up of the attack.
“And we always use a bit of gut feel.”
with AAP
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