ENGLISH PLAYERS TO WATCH

Joe Root

Age 26 Tests 60

Runs 5323 Ave 53.76

Like his counterpart, the captain is England’s best batsman and key to the tourists’ hopes. Will want a better tour than his last visit in 2013. Nathan Lyon says he wants to get Root dropped as he was on that last Ashes tour.

Mark Stoneman

Age 30 Tests 3

Runs 120 Ave 30 Nuggety left-hander who has played a number of grade games in Sydney. The man they call Rocky might be inexperienced at Test level but has ground out a good career in the county game. A century and three 50s already on the tour.

Dawid Malan

Age 30 Tests 5

Runs 189 Ave 23.62 Stylish left-hander who likes to get on with things and is a T20 expert. Scored a ton in England’s final warm-up game in Townsville. Another with plenty of experience at county level but not in Test arena. Needs to chip in with runs.

Chris Woakes

Age 28 Tests 18

Runs 675 Ave 32.14

Wkts 50 Ave 30.6

The only genuine all-rounder in both teams and in Ben Stokes’ absence will have to stand up for England. The leading wicket-taker on the tour so far, he is a decent bat and can also generate some speed with his outswingers.

James Anderson

Age 35 Tests 129

Wkts 506 Ave 27.39

In what will probably be his last Ashes tour, Anderson will want to go out with a bang alongside his old sparring partner Stuart Broad. Has struggled in Australia in the past but should come into his own in the day/night Test in Adelaide.