The big question for Australia is who misses out for Ryan Harris? Surely Chris Rogers will return to the side for Shaun Marsh, who will no doubt get the spot back once Rogers retires after this series. I guess it might be Mitchell Starc will be the unlucky one to make way for Harris, who I suspect will also retire after this series, with Starc slotting straight back in when he does.
It will be the last Ashes campaign for a few Aussies, I suspect. Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, and possibly Mitchell Johnson... and, err, Adam Voges will all make way for the next generation.
Peering over at what the Old Enemy are up too, they will depend on the likes of Cook, Root and Ballance for most of their runs. I like the look of Jos Buttler and James Taylor. The Sherminator might be on his last legs. Bowling wise, other than Broad and Anderson, the cupboard looks a bit thin. I thought Moen Ali looked promising, and I was quite impressed with Simon Treadwell during the West Indies tour. The English selectors look like they may go for Adil Rashid, whom I'm a bit undecided about, tbh.
My prediction is that the Aussies will win the opener, with Warner, Smith, Clarke and Voges all scoring tons during the course of the match, and England struggling to make a combined score of 500. If we're lucky, Johno will grow his tash back. Twatto will do his usual - nothing.
Bring it on!
