PLAYERS TO WATCH

AUSTRALIA DAVID WARNER

Age: 32. Tests: 74 Average: 48.20 WAS Australia’s best at the World Cup, scoring three centuries. Seemed to handle English crowds OK, but the home fans will turn up the volume for the Test series, especially in the first encounter at Edgbaston. Warner’s reaction to that both on and off the field will be key to his performances.

STEVE SMITH

Age: 30. Tests: 64

Average: 61.37 WAS England’s nemesis in the 2017 Ashes success, scoring 687 runs at a remarkable average of 137.4, including a double century and two hundreds. Like Warner will attract plenty of attention from the home crowd. Smith is the key man if Australia is to retain the urn.

JAMES PATTINSON

Age: 29. Tests: 17 Average (bowling): 26.15 PATTINSON hasn’t played a Test since February 2016, when he took six wickets in the match in a seven-wicket win over New Zealand at Christchurch. Has been plagued by injuries since but has been a strong performer for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship. His knowledge of English conditions and the Duke ball could make him a key contributor.

ENGLAND JOE ROOT

Age: 28. Tests: 81 Average: 49.03 ENGLAND’S captain was his country’s top scorer in the World Cup with 556 runs and is the key man if the home side is to regain the Ashes. His Test form has been patchy of late but has still managed three centuries in his past eight matches. If Root gets going, he could be the difference in where the little urn ends up.

JASON ROY

Age: 29. Tests: 1

Average: 38.5 ESSENTIALLY thought of as a white-ball specialist, South African-born Roy has been flown in by the England selectors after a stellar World Cup to boost the fragile England top order. Scored 72 in the second innings against Ireland at Lord’s on debut but his technique will definitely be challenged by the top-class Aussie attack. If however he gets in, he can score quickly and has the potential to change the course of the game. JOFRA ARCHER Age: 24. Tests: 0

First-class average (bowling): 23.44 ENGLAND’S star bowler at the World Cup with 20 wickets but largely untried at the longer form of the game, with only 28 first-class games for Sussex under his belt. Carried a side strain through the latter part of the World Cup and will need to stay fit if England are to trouble Australia’s top order. Could well be the X-factor for the home team.