James Anderson has been ruled out of the first Test starting on Wednesday despite his team mate Jos Buttler saying he was fit for selection.
Earlier reports from English media said Anderson has succumbed to a calf injury, but Buttler said the 39-year-old’s absence was precautionary and aimed at saving him for later clashes.
“He is fit, he’s been bowling well but it’s just a precautionary measure,” Buttler told reporters.
“I faced him in the nets yesterday and will hopefully face him in the nets against today.”
He added Ben Stokes was also fit to take his place, which was confirmed when England later named their 12, with one to drop out on Wednesday mornin.
Australian captain Pat Cummins was asked if the Anderson news was significant shock to him.
“No, I didn’t expect him to play all five Tests,” said Cummins.
“It’s a shame he won’t be out there tomorrow. He’s 39, one of the leading wicket takers in cricket. Any team he walks into is a team worth watching.
“In terms of the context of the series we’ll concentrate on what we do well. It’s not a huge factor from our end.”
Chris Woakes will start instead while England are reportedly also starting Mark Wood in their attack.
The two remaining bowling spots will be taken by two of Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach.
The UK Telegraph reported that Woakes, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Wood and Ben Stokes are England’s likely attack for the first Test with no spinner to be selected.
The Cricketer reported Anderson’s injury is not deemed to be particularly serious, but is bad enough not to warrant risking him at the start of the series.
Anderson, 39, has played 18 Tests down under, claiming 60 wickets at an average of 35.43.
He wrote in a recent column that he had never felt so under-prepared for a Test series. England were wary of picking him when under-bowled in case he sustains an injury that could rule him out for the series.
In the 2019 Ashes he pulled up with a calf injury after just four overs of the first Test at Edgbaston and did not play again for the rest of the year.
Anderson also wrote in his column that he is aiming to play three of the five Ashes Tests, with Adelaide a priority.
He had his best bowling figures in Australia in Adelaide four years ago when he took 5-43, swinging the ball under the lights.
England 12: Joe Root (captain), Chris Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Thank you Sick is one word that comes to mind Not sure why someone would do that particularly in the offensive way that he does But, people.....
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Having been to the last three dn tests at Adelaide I sit there in the evening sessions and it's really difficult conditions and often close dating back to nz with boult , and Cummins and hazel last summer . It'd always quite close at periods there as the ball darts around with dew come sunset and pink ball so different to red ball. This gives England some hope with Anderson and broad although I'd back Aus in . A few of our bats like smith definitely find it harder there too event though they can make runs
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not angry; we all just have to work too hard to work out what you're saying. Correct English is easy. Don't project shortcomings. Just respect those with which you seek to converse by using common language conventions.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Ok I'll take your word on Wood, they've picked him over Broad which surprises me but they must think he is more likely to take wickets.
Paul
Roar Guru
The problem for England is, the pitches get progressively better for batting as the series goes on, which means Broad & Anderson are less effective. They HAVE to early Tests to be any chance and not playing these guys makes their chances of winning in Brisbane decidedly poor.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Nope I was telling you where australia's weaknesses have been more recently and strengths . That means it's no slam dunk but I'd back us in
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Don still angry . Maybe pre match tension . Suggest reiki or meditation Donny
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I think Anderson and broad getting very long in tooth and well beaten in aus four years ago so they are looking at line and length pitches or conditions for them . I think it's all tactical . Adelaide fresh they will be a handful potentially as Adelaide evenings are very very tricky
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Big debate over pitch and wether to bowl first it's quite green . Warne says bat Gilchrist says bowl as did border .
Paul
Roar Guru
If Broad doesn't play, they'll have one of the weakest attacks to play at the Gabba. We better not lose to them!
Paul
Roar Guru
I read somewhere that if the MCG hosts a Test, they aim to make between $20 - 22.5 million, Sydney $14 - 17 million and Adelaide $9 - 11 million. Tassie ain't in the ball park if any of these bigger facilities throws it's name into the tender process. Sad, but the fans come a distant second to money.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
It's clear cut on most media and now tv exactly what I thought was happening they are resting him and I get it he's forty years old so Adelaide makes sense . Now talk that broad may be rested too for Adelaide but that may be speculation
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Paul apparently Tassie put in a big bid 1 mill a day to host it . It's definitely down to money . Had to laugh at double standards of wa asking to swap for second test . Ironically it would help Aus as mcg has been iffy ground for Australia lately . Rumours a team may want to bowl first today as slightly green wicket
Paul
Roar Guru
I've now read he has an injured calf and a few hours later, he's fit to go but being rested. I dunno if it's clear cut because I don't know which version of events is the reality. This is from the Guardian "England’s record wicket-taker is essentially behind the other seamers in terms of physical preparation, with a calf niggle at the start of the trip delaying his bowling work for two weeks. This week he has been reportedly bowling at full pelt in the Gabba nets this week but, with memories of his 2019 home Ashes ruined by a calf tear after only four overs, caution has still prevailed."
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hard to follow what you're saying. Capital letters, sentences and paragraphs are useful in controlling the way ideas are structured. That's important if you are trying to say something. I think you were just telling us what you have read about Australian pitches. Did I miss something?
Paul
Roar Guru
Putting it out to tender means CA can look to get top dollar. If they wanted to cater to the fans, they'd already announce the host for the Test and give it to a place like Hobart or Canberra. As it stands, if one of the bigger grounds puts in a bid, I can't see them losing it because it means more money for CA
Paul
Roar Guru
That why I don't get him being left out unless he's genuinely injured. If it's humid & cloudy, which I gather it will be, surely he's got to be given a go, regardless what his averages are at the Gabba?
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Id tend to agree but Gabba Perth are australia’s traditional strengths . Adelaide matches pink ball get tight and they have some line and length bowlers with swing talent which is what happens at night there and with pink ball more , Tassie would suit England and mcg is ground England and India have got the better of us at in 3 of the last 4 years . On top of that Aus had changed the kookaburra ball to make it swing more and closer to dukes ball this year
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
"Best hope?" England will have lost the series by then. No need for hope.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Frank died last year and his brother Silas, who doubles as Pale Roarer, has escaped from the asylum and posts in his name.