MELBOURNE :While pace bowling quality has been a reliable predictor of Ashes success, resilience and depth may ultimately decide the battle for the urn in Australia.

The hosts face an immediate test in the series-opener in Perth starting on Friday, with captain Pat Cummins and fellow quick Josh Hazlewood sidelined by injury.

Scott Boland will step up and uncapped Brendan Doggett is tipped for a high-stakes debut to try to shore up the loss of a combined 604 test wickets of experience.

How long Cummins and Hazlewood will be out is unclear, but for an England team desperate for a good start, their absence is like Christmas coming early.

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