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Evidently, the absence of two top-tier fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, due to injuries poses a significant challenge, particularly since Cummins also serves as captain.
However, which team would not feel the impact of losing two pivotal players? In their last Test match against India at The Oval in July, England played without Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, resulting in a loss.
Excluding the situation of these injuries, Australia has faced only one main decision, which pertains to the opening partnerships.
Since David Warner retired at the start of last year, Australia has struggled to find a reliable opening partner for Usman Khawaja. Over the last 18 months, five different players have been tested in that position.
The team has resorted to temporary solutions, possibly attempting to replicate the strategy of moving Justin Langer up to the opening slot with Matthew Hayden in the team I was part of.
In reality, losing an opener should lead to its replacement with another opener. One wouldn't replace a fast bowler with a wicketkeeper. Therefore, Australia is expected to stabilize the batting order, keeping Marnus Labuschagne at number three and handing a debut to Jake Weatherald.
Subsequently, the rest of the lineup will align naturally. Cameron Green will drop to take on the all-rounder position at number six, resulting in Beau Webster not making the cut. This is unfortunate for Webster, who has performed well.
Another point of criticism directed at Australia concerns the team's average age. The anticipated XI for the opening Test at Optus Stadium on Friday is expected to feature only Green as the sole player under 30.
Personally, I do not view this as an issue in the upcoming Ashes series. The age of this team reflects its collective success over time.
Experience often accompanies age. I was part of a similar scenario in the 2006-07 Ashes, where only Michael Clarke was under 30, yet we achieved a 5-0 victory.
This may become a consideration for the selectors in the next 12 to 18 months as players retire, but it isn't an immediate concern. If a player is delivering results, age is irrelevant.
I do ponder the approach that has resulted in both Cummins and Hazlewood being sidelined for the first Test.
It seems that the decision-making process regarding player health has evolved significantly, leading to a scenario where backroom personnel and external parties might hold excessive sway.
In our time, routine scans were not the norm. If a player was not at full fitness but believed they could play through, they did.
Today, there appears to be a tendency to prioritize caution. Players experiencing minor discomfort are often advised to take a break.
Had I undergone regular scans, I like to believe I would have been fine. My delivery stride was quite short, which reduced the strain on my back. It was in excellent shape when I played, and still is to this day.
However, my former new-ball partner, Jason Gillespie, thinks that if he had gone through routine scans, he likely would not have had the opportunity to play in a Test match. His back would have flared up dramatically.
Australia's hope is that Cummins and Hazlewood are fit for the upcoming second Test in Brisbane, as England will certainly perceive the home bowling attack differently in their absence.
I had the opportunity to observe the England team closely, along with their strategy under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, during the Ashes series held in the UK in 2023.
I admire England's approach, but I have reservations about the concept of freeing players from pressure and expectations.
In my view, the top players excel when under pressure. They aspire to meet expectations. The larger the event, the better they tend to perform. Rather than attempting to eliminate pressure and expectation, these should be harnessed as sources of motivation.
Moreover, if England considers this their best opportunity to secure a victory in Australia since 2020-11, doesn’t that itself create a form of pressure?
I heard Stuart Broad declare that this is the weakest Australian team since their last victory against England here 14 years ago. Really?
In the last three series played here, England has faced losses of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0. They haven’t come close to winning a single Test and were fortunate not to lose all of them.
It isn’t a bold assertion to label this as the "weakest" Australian team seen in 15 years. Should Australia win 3-0, that would still be a remarkable achievement, yet not as commanding as their performances in the last three series. Does that truly indicate they are the weakest?
The obstacle for England will be adapting to the conditions. The Perth pitch will be the fastest and most bouncy of the five Tests. Visiting teams often see the ball speed through and may overcompensate by bowling too short. When the pitch is quick and bouncy, it's essential to find the correct length.
It's not solely the pitches that will be unfamiliar to England. The Kookaburra ball feels distinct in comparison to the Dukes ball used in the UK. The Kookaburra appears larger and has a smaller seam, providing significantly less assistance.
How will England implement Bazball on the expansive Australian grounds? The dimensions of English grounds are considerably smaller. If one is going to attempt to hit sixes in Australia, they need to ensure they are hit with considerable distance, or they risk being caught.
When England is feeling confident, they can be a formidable opponent. They possess a significant opportunity in the first Test, given that Cummins and Hazlewood will be unavailable. Capitalizing on this chance could instill confidence for the remainder of the series.
Conversely, should England lose in Perth, they might face a very arduous series ahead.
Glenn McGrath was in conversation with Stephan Shemilt from BBC Sport.
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