The Ashes: Australia vs England 1st Test – Copybet
After much anticipation and build up, The Ashes finally starts on Friday in Perth.
England have not won an Ashes Series in Australia since the 2010/11 edition but they have a great opportunity against an ageing home side and one struggling with injuries, particularly for this opener.
Australia vs England
Australia’s bowling attack has typically been extremely successful against England in their own back yard but they have been dealt two major blows before this opening Test.
Captain Pat Cummins and key quick Josh Hazlewood are both set to miss out through injury, meaning the visitors have a solid opportunity to get an opening win on the board.
This time last year Australia lost their opening Test to India and they are not getting any younger. England look set to opt for a five-strong pace attack, with Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes set to line up for the visitors.
That could be the difference between them in this opener and the visitors look like the value pick.
Australia vs England
On a Perth surface which looks likely to be helpful to pace bowlers, it may pay to look away from the openers who face a tough task in making runs in this Test.
Harry Brook is a contender to top score for England, with the number five and vice captain coming in when the shine has come off the new ball and he could make hay in his first Test in Australia.
The 26-year-old averages a whopping 57.55 in 30 Tests with ten centuries and was one of the few bright spots from their poor white-ball tour of New Zealand recently.
Australia vs England
Usman Khawaja has been a top opening batsman for Australia but he is now 38 years old and has struggled recently against express pace, which England have.
The left-hander will be batting with a new partner at the top of the order and is averaging just 15.38 in his last eight Tests. Take him not to make a fifty in the match.