England have opted against handing a Test debut to express paceman Jofra Archer in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston, where Jimmy Anderson will return from injury.
Tim Paine is trying to keep the hosts guessing on the eve of Thursday’s opening day of the five-Test series but Joe Root has named his England Ashes XI.
Archer made his ODI debut in May then snared 20 wickets during the World Cup, playing a key role in England’s breakthrough triumph.
But the hosts have left the 24-year-old, who is recovering from a side strain, on the sidelines.
“Jofra’s obviously coming back from quite a serious injury,” Root said.
“We looked at the conditions and made the decision on what will be best to take 20 wickets here, it also allows him to be absolutely ready … later in the series.”
Root wouldn’t be drawn on whether Archer will be fit for the second Test at Lord’s.
“That will be monitored throughout the week,” he said.
Sam Curran and Olly Stone were the other members of England’s 14-man squad who failed to make the cut.
England’s all-time leading wicket-taker Anderson, who tweaked his calf a month ago, will join Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali in a potent attack.
“He (Anderson) gets better with age, he really does,” Root said of 37-year-old Anderson.
“He’s had a couple of niggles over the last couple of years but every time he’s come back stronger.
“You look at the workload he had over in Australia (during the 2017-18 series) for example, I think he proved a point out there. He was by far our best seamer throughout the course of the five games.
“The last couple of years in England he’s proven to be very difficult to come up against.”
England XI: Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root (capt), Joe Denly, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Mooen has dismissed Warner four times in 17 innings. When dismissed by Moeen, Warner has scored 52, 38, 83 and 85. All in England.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
It’s a good question, one hopefully the medical and fitness staff have an answer to. Woakes at Edgbaston was always on the cards, especially with swing conditions forecast. Jimmy will be testing fitness and Broady form. Let’s not talk about Ali’s form. This test could tell us a lot or nothing about the next England bowling line up. Is Australia’s any more certain?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Neil would he be testing the injury if he played the 2nd test? Sooner or later he gets the all clear from the medical staff, and you back him. I'd say he's not recovered enough yet. If it's a 4-week injury and he's 3.5-4 weeks in, not worth the risk. 5-6 weeks in, the injury should be recovered, but is he match fit enough for a 5-day test?
U
Roar Rookie
I’d consider a batting order of Root, Burns, Denly, Bairstow, Roy, Stokes, Butler, Ali. Root is the only player in their team with a successful stint as an opener. That might give Burns some needed confidence. Roy is a middle order batsman. Let him attack from there. Bairstow normally bats in the top 4 or 5 at country level. A promotion might help him regain some form.
U
Roar Rookie
Bairstow should be higher in the order for sure.
JamesH
Roar Guru
They might not have on a flatter pitch. At Edgbaston though, they're probably sensible choices.
jameswm
Roar Guru
is Bairstow keeping? I assume so as he's batting at 7. Not sure who keeps out of Bairstow and Buttler.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah I was going to say that too. If Warner is still batting at thst atage (30 overs?) he'll probably be 40-50 odd by then. England have the luxury of a double opening bowling change with two more quicks. Aust need to get their spinner on earlier to rotate the quicks after their opening spell or two.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Agreed. This is a potent attack in English conditions.
Brian
Guest
I'm surprised they don't try Bairstow at No 3 and give Buttler the gloves. Then play Curran instead of Denly.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Sheer pace won’t win this test.
Brian
Guest
Moeen not a good player of bounce or spin but in England he averages 36.45 from 31 matches. To put into context Warner average in England is 37.06. He'll bat at No 8 and the lower order is England's key in trying to get decent scores against Australia's strong bowling unit.
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
I think Bairstow might be in the firing line if he doesn't find form after the first two tests and could easily drop out for Curran. Leaves a long tail but there's enough bat in Ali, Woakes and Curran himself to get by.
deepoz
Roar Rookie
I think they should have gone with Sam Curran. The kid is a fantastic cricketer; his intervention last year won them the series against India. His left arm swing would have been more difficult to handle for the Aussies. They could have done with one less batsman; with Bairstow at 6, Ali at 7, Woakes at 8 and Curran at 9 that is plenty of back up.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I hope he’s not still batting by the time Ali comes on - or that he needs to come on at all.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
So would the English. Far more likely to be available for the balance of the test series. Makes sense. Besides which, with Anderson coming back after injury, you really don’t want two front line bowlers testing injuries in a test match.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Moeen Ali is good for a wicket. Warner is his bunny.
Paul
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see just how "potent" this English attack will be. Anderson and Woakes are clearly in form and Broad did well last Test but Ali is a weak link, IMO. Also wondering if the side has been named in batting order? I can't see Buttler batting above Stokes if the Poms are 3 for not many. Ditto for Ali who is averaging under 20 with the bat in recent times. He should bat below Woakes.
U
Roar Rookie
I wouldn’t have picked Ali or Broad
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That is not a "potent attack". Woakes, Ali, Stokes and (these days) Broad are all just middle off the road. Anderson might still have it but moving the ball both ways at 130kph is not as effective as moving it both ways at 135kph. The Aussies would prefer Archer to be carrying drinks.