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To answer this question, the first thing you need to ask is: “what have Australia learnt from the Ashes series just gone in England?”
What they’ve learnt is that Chris Rogers is clearly the best opening batsman in Australia.
His selection was met with a mixed reaction in cricket circles, yet the decision to play him was absolutely justified, culminating in him making 100 in difficult conditions at Durham.
Steve Smith needs a long run in the Australian middle order.
He clearly showed why he has been in and around the Australian team for a few years now, and he is an attacking middle order player, slightly unorthodox yet scores runs.
He will also give added flexibility to the Australian bowling attack if he continues to work hard on his leg spin bowling.
This is a very important part of his game and potentially could be the reason he gets an extended run in the Australian side.
Another thing that Australia has learned is that they need five bowlers. Long gone are the days when they could get by with three quicks and one spinner.
They could get away with it when they had Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne playing together.
McGrath could bowl long, penetrating spells and Warne was simply the best spinner ever.
Someone in the top seven being able to bowl adds great flexibility to the Australian bowling line up.
Also, England’s batting can be put under pressure with disciplined bowling. Australia’s seamers were excellent and Nathan Lyon, when he finally played, was also a threat.
We saw this throughout the whole Test series.
Alistair Cook struggled with Australian fast bowlers’ fuller length. This is something they need to continue in Australia if they want to keep him quiet.
Joe Root only made two significant scores out of ten innings opening the batting. He is going to be a fantastic long-term player for England but they will need to be patient with him.
Yet, Australia will feel they can minimalise his impact at home by bowling fuller, looking to hit off stump because he is more of a back foot player who likes to hit through the off-side.
Jonathon Trott was frustrated by good planning.
His leg-side scoring areas were blocked off and the short ball was used effectively. He is never as comfortable when he is looking to hit through the off-side off the front foot.
Kevin Pietersen is a tough proposition.
His greatest threat is how he can change the momentum of an innings through his positive stroke play. He prefers the leg-side, so disciplined bowling on a fourth/fifth stump line can frustrate him into playing a poor shot.
Ian Bell will challenge Australia’s bowlers this summer, much like he just did in England.
He is strong all around the wicket and is very patient. Good old fashioned line and length will be the best option, with possibly a catching man on the off-side drive to get him thinking about hitting squarer off the front foot, thus bringing the keeper and slip fielders into play.
Jonny Bairstow and Matt Prior had mixed success.
They are both similar with their aggressive style of play, yet what Australia learnt is, because of their aggressive natures, they will always offer a chance and possibly play a poor shot if the ball is pitched up on off-stump, bringing bowled and LBW into play.
England may need to make a decision sooner rather than later.
Bairstow is a good keeper and Prior has struggled of late. But having their keeper at six allows them to play the extra bowler/all rounder.
If Australia can consistently deliver their plans to the England batsmen, much like they did in England, this will put England’s batting under real pressure and the final score in the series could be very different because, in Australian conditions, I am sure that not only will Australia bowl well, they will bat much better than they did in England.
I suspect that the series will be Australia’s to win.