Players stake Ashes claims

THE battle for Ashes berths starts in earnest but in low-key fashion as South Australia meets the Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane today.

The Sheffield Shield starts on October 26 and will be the real audition, but the JLT Cup is as an ideal chance for those on the cusp of the Test squad.

Peter Nevill (NSW) and Alex Carey (SA), favourites to take the gloves if Test keeper Matthew Wade is axed, are among those who are in the mix.