England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat against Australia in the first Ashes Test under blue skies in Perth on Friday.
In an attempt to win a series in Australia for the first time in 15 years, the visitors chose to launch an all-out pace attack on what is anticipated to be a quick and bouncy pitch.
After being judged fit, Mark Wood will lead the speed attack with Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Stokes; spinner Shoaib Bashir was left out.
The team batting first has won all five of the previous Test matches at this venue.
“We will try and get some runs on the board and see where we go from there,” said Stokes.
“It’s a lot of hard work, determination, we have got a clear plan of what we want to do in Australia.”
Jake Weatherald made his debut as Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement last year when Australia announced their squad on Thursday.
As a result, Marnus Labuschagne was able to return at his chosen number three. Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Cameron Green come next.
Brendan Doggett earned his first cap in an attack led by Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon after Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sustained injuries.
“I would have had a bat as well,” said Smith, who added: “I think the cracks are going to open up as the match progresses.”
Teams:
Australia: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (Capt.), 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 (Capt.), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
