England have yet to settle on their bowling line up for the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, with captain Joe Root declining to name a starting XI on the same day Pat Cummins confirmed the Australian line up.
The only selection questions that remained open for Australia surrounded Mitchell Starc’s inclusion and the No.5 batting position, but Cummins ended speculation by confirming Starc will play while Travis Head is preferred over Usman Khawaja for the series opener.
England, in contrast, are still mulling over their best bowling attack for a Gabba pitch that has seen little sunshine over the past fortnight, particularly with showers and storms forecast for the next week.
While Nathan Lyon is certain to play for Australia, England have not decided whether they will go into the match with an all out pace attack or include left arm spinner Jack Leach.
“We’ve got all the options on the table right now,” said Root. “We are not going to name a team just yet.
“We will have to see what a closer forecast is and how that pitch changes over the next couple of days.
“As well, I do think it’s a good place to bowl spin.
“Speak to some of the great spinners and they have played for Australia and they have always enjoyed bowling here.
“It’s something that we will weigh up, something we will consider, but we are not in a position to make a call now.”
It is not clear how England intend to manage their bowlers over five Tests played in quick succession after rain hampered their preparation.
Root has two of the best swing bowlers in Test cricket at his disposal in Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, while Mark Wood offers skiddy express pace.
But Ollie Robinson enjoyed a standout summer in England and his ability to move the ball both ways could see him included for the first Test if England decided to rotate Anderson and Broad or play four seamers.
“I know how skilful our whole bowling group is and in many ways we’ve got some very difficult decisions to make in that regard,” said Root. “That’s a great headache to have.
“That’s what you want as a captain.
“You want many guys putting their hands up and saying I’m the man for these conditions.
“Look at how Ollie’s taken to Test cricket, his performances have been very good, he’s stood up.
“He’s had to deal with some incidents already in his career so for him to be able to overcome that is impressive in many ways.
“So it’s a nice position to be in, it’s obviously nice to hear some of the guys are already talking him up.
“He’s a tall guy, with a high release point who gets the ball to move laterally.
“Look at guys who’ve had success for Australia over the years, Glenn McGrath, some of the current players, they are tall guys with high release points who get it to move laterally.”
Both squads had their first training sessions at the Gabba on Sunday but forecast rain on Monday and Tuesday may further hamper preparations before the Test begins on Wednesday.
