Ashes 2017/18: England's probable XI for first Test
England arrive in Australia hoping to forget the embarrassment they suffered Down Under in the 2013-14 series. They last won there in 2010-11, but their overall record in Australia means that fans will be concerned about their team's chances. The series does follow home series wins against South Africa and the West Indies, and also a home Ashes victory in 2015.
The squad is somewhat depleted following disciplinary issues and injuries, meaning that the choices for the final XI are limited. However, the team selection in the tour matches indicates that this is what the playing XI could look like:
Openers
The openers will be hoping to build a solid foundation for the rest of the batting order.
#1 Alastair Cook
Cook particularly will be hoping to replicate his form from the 2010-11 Ashes in which he was the Player of the Series, scoring 766 runs. With the captaincy passed on to Joe Root, he will want to forget the miserable 5-0 whitewash in 2013-14.
#2 Mark Stoneman
Mark Stoneman is still new to the Test arena with just one series against the West Indies under his belt. He has performed impressively in the warm-up games, scoring four fifties and one hundred, and will want to reproduce this form at the Gabba.