In order to claw back in the five-match series, England will need a remarkable victory at Brisbane’s Gabba on Thursday night in their second Ashes Test against pink-ball kings Australia.
Travis Head’s stunning century as a makeshift opener guided Australia to an eight-wicket victory inside two days in Perth as they went 1-0 up.
The hosts are again without skipper Pat Cummins and fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood, leaving swing king Mitchell Starc, who is anticipated to be a force in steamy Brisbane under lights, to spearhead the attack.
If England is to have any chance of lifting the urn again, they can’t afford to fall down 2-0 with three games remaining after losing in four hectic hours in Perth.
Due to a knee injury, Mark Wood, their own pace spearhead, will not be available. He made way for off-spinner Will Jacks, whose inclusion strengthens the batting, in an otherwise unchanged side announced on Tuesday.
Captain Ben Stokes insists England have put Perth behind them and aren’t burdened by past results, but they still confront a daunting history in Brisbane, where they have been putting in extra training sessions this week.
England haven’t won a Test in Australia since the 2010–11 tour, a stretch that includes 14 defeats and two draws. They also haven’t tasted victory at the Gabba in 39 years and have lost all three previous day-night encounters against Australia.
Australia thrive under lights, winning 13 of the 14 pink-ball Tests they have played globally, but England will take confidence from the sole defeat coming at the Gabba against the West Indies a year ago.
“On an evening it does seem to do a little bit more, especially if you have a slightly newer ball,” said England fast bowler Brydon Carse after a night session in the nets on Tuesday.
Australia captain, Steve Smith, must choose how to replace Usman Khawaja, who was sidelined on Tuesday due to back spasms sustained in Perth. Head is anticipated to again go up with Jake Weatherald, with seaming all-rounder Beau Webster coming into the side at number six with Cameron Green moving up to five.
Marnus Labuschagne stepped up as an opener in place of Khawaja during the first innings in Perth.
“It’s just game-by-game, and you work out what’s your best team and how does it best work for the game,” said Labuschagne.
Australia could also turn to Josh Inglis as a makeshift opener, allowing Travis Head to stay at number five and avoid the challenge of a new pink ball under lights. Head, who floored England with a match-winning 123 off 83 balls, said he would be willing to move up again, noting that rigid batting orders are “slightly overrated.”
“The traditionalists will say that’s how it’s got to be,” Head said.
“It’s ever evolving and we’ll see where we get to. I feel I can play in any role.”
Australia squad: Steve Smith (Capt.), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
England team: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Capt.), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
