Perth: Mitchell Starc has taken a pointed jab at Cricket Australia, saying the national team has lost an advantage by starting the Ashes in Perth instead of their Gabba fortress.

The left-arm pace ace, who famously struck with the first ball of the series four years ago in Brisbane, made the surprise admission on Wednesday just minutes after the man in charge of producing the Perth Stadium pitch warned against expecting a repeat of the fiery day-one wicket that decimated Australia and India 12 months ago.

Australia are expected to name Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett to make their Test debuts, with Marnus Labuschagne to return to the line-up in his preferred position at No.3 and Cameron Green to take Beau Webster’s spot at six.

England are set to play a five-prong pace attack fea

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