England head into Friday's Ashes opener in Perth with a spring in their step and a golden opportunity to strike the first blow in the five-test series against an Australian team rocked by key injuries.

England have not won a first Ashes test in Australia in nearly 40 years, nor beaten the hosts in Perth since 1978, but their opponents are vulnerable without front-line quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Not in selectors' darkest nightmares would the home side ever face the first "Bazball" offensive without inspirational captain Cummins and the metronomic Hazlewood.

Steve Smith will be stand-in skipper, while Scott Boland and uncapped Brendan Doggett are expected to replace the injured duo who boast 604 test wickets between them.

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