England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat against Australia in the first Ashes Test under blue skies in Perth on Friday.
The visitors opted for an all-out pace attack on what is expected to be a fast and bouncy wicket as they begin their quest to win a series in Australia for the first time in 15 years.
Mark Wood has been deemed fit and will lead the pace attack alongside Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Stokes, with spinner Shoaib Bashir left out.
All five previous Tests at the venue have been won by the side that batted first.
“We’ll try to get some runs on the board and see where we go,” Stokes said.
“It’s hard work and determination. We have a clear plan of what we want to do in Australia.”
Australia named their team on Thursday, with Jake Weatherald making his debut as Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner retired last year.
This allowed Marnus Labuschagne to return to his favorite number three, followed by Steve Smith, Travis Head and Cameron Green.
With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood injured, Brendan Doggett earns his first cap in an attack led by Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
“I would have had a bat too,” said Smith, who added: “I think the cracks will open up as the game goes on.”
Teams
Australia: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), 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 (captain), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
