Big Three set for shot at Gabba redemption

Australia look set to begin the Ashes with the same attack that played in all four Tests against India last summer, with head coach Justin Langer enthused by the preparation of his 'Big Three' just four days out from the first Test.

The hosts completed a centre-wicket session today at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane's north, with the experienced trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins toiling under a cloudless sky in considerable heat and humidity.

But it was the centre-wicket sessions on the Gold Coast during their fortnight of quarantine that left Langer almost unexpectedly satisfied in his first-choice pace attack, with Cummins also having noted the quality of the training through that period.

Considering the restrictive nature of the rain in Brisbane this week as well as the diet of white-ball cricket for all three bowlers in the build-up, it shapes as a significant plus for an Australian side that twice failed to bowl India out on the final day of Test matches last summer.

And given India's remarkable victory at the Gabba on the final day of the Test season – the first time the hosts had been beaten at the venue in the format since 1988 – the Ashes opener looms also looms as a shot at redemption for the experienced pace attack.

"(Their preparation) has been excellent," Langer said. "We had some brilliant centre-wicket practice (at Metricon Stadium), we always thought that their workloads coming from the World Cup and because we went so deep, that we might've had to work a bit harder on that, but they've been great.

"They've had three or four centre-wicket sessions, and you saw how the boys bowled today – they're up and about, and they're very confident after the World Cup, and with the experience of their careers. So I'm happy with the way they're going."

Back-up quicks Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser also bowled today – the latter for the second consecutive day – and it has been the Marsh Sheffield Shield form of Richardson that had some tipping the West Australian might be chosen at the expense of Starc in Wednesday's first Test.

Richardson has taken 15 wickets in his past two Shield matches – including eight at the Gabba last month – and has been bowling with accuracy and searing pace.

Leg-spin legend Shane Warne has been a regular critic of Starc over the years and has led into the Ashes with suggestions he should be axed, but it appears likely that selectors will keep the faith with the combination that has collected a combined 631 Test wickets.

Langer did acknowledge Richardson had "bowled beautifully in Shield cricket" and said a decision to opt for a rotation policy throughout the five-Test series would be contingent on how each match unfolded.

"Time will tell," he said. "Last year there was a lot of discussion at the end of the Indian series, and perhaps some criticism, that we'd used the same bowlers.

"But you can turn that on its head, and say it's a real credit to the bowlers who are so fit and strong, and the support staff … who can get guys through four Tests and not break down. So time will tell. We'll work through it."

Speaking with cricket.com.au earlier this week, NSW Blues bowling coach Andre Adams – who works closely with Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins when they're training in their home city of Sydney – said they were in high spirits following their World Cup success, which could spell trouble for England.

"That trio, they're pretty tight, so when they're all in a good space, it's a really good thing," Adams said. "And they're all feeling pretty good. I could hear the difference in their voices having spoken to them after the World Cup.

"They sound really happy, and they seem in a really good place to start the Ashes.

"And that's part of the success of each bowler, is who they're bowling with, because they work really well as a team.

"Individually, they're excellent, but together, they're phenomenal."

Langer also confirmed Australia had settled on an XI, though he was unwilling to divulge the identity of their number five batter, which has come down to a choice between left-handers Travis Head and Usman Khawaja.

For the second day running, Head partnered with Steve Smith in the centre-wicket session, while Khawaja – who did not partake in Friday's optional session – batted with Alex Carey.

Vodafone Men's Ashes

Squads

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Schedule

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium