English hope burns bright as Ashes ignite

This is where the talking stops and the doing begins. Tomorrow morning, at the Gabba, England begin a series of five Tests in seven weeks. It is likely to be the most intensive spell of cricket ever played at this level against a side recognised as the game's standard-bearers.

No reminders are needed of the enormity of England's task. They have not won the Ashes in five series since Mike Gatting overcame an under-achieving Australia a dozen years ago. But Gatting merely retained the Ashes; only two sides - one captained by Douglas Jardine and the other by Raymond Illingworth - have actually regained them in Australia. Alec Stewart is not one to disillusion himself or his team.

The outcome of the first Test is crucial to England's progress through the rest of the series. If they win, then Australia will know they are in for a scrap. A draw would set things off nicely, but a defeat, especially a bad one, does not bear contemplating.

The Gabba pitch remains the same evenly-grassed, hard thing of beauty that it has always been and it is around these qualities that the England selectors must decide on the best balance of the side.

They have options: first to play all seven first-choice batsmen with four specialist bowlers, be they all seam or with a spinner, and second to use six batsmen and take the field with five bowlers.

Although the latter remains favourite of the two, it is surely the first that remains the most attractive for this ground and indeed for Perth. The use of seven batsmen may in some quarters be viewed as a defensive move, but in reality the balance of the England batting would be similar to that of their opponents, the only difference being that their wicket keeper-batsman (Healy) bats at seven while England's (Stewart) bats at four.

Anything other than this line-up, which would have John Crawley at seven would mean that Dominic Cork would be entrusted to that position. Promisingly as he played on the desperately slow pitch in Adelaide and the scuttler in Cairns, here, against an international attack, is a world away.

Nor should the selectors be blinded by Robert Croft's batting in Cairns. His bowling, still not up to scratch, would provide little other than respite for the pace-men. But four seamers should make it through a 90-overs day, and in Gough, Angus Fraser, Mullally and Cork there is sufficient variety in method to offset a sameness in pace.

Form and fitness come into the equation. Crucially, Mike Atherton's back came through a strenuous session yesterday and unless there is an adverse reaction he and Mark Butcher will take on Glenn McGrath.

Stewart, who has collected three ducks in four innings, will expect better things on the faster bouncier surfaces at the Gabba and in Perth.

Australia's preparations have been disrupted by the continuation of the one-day series in Pakistan which prevented players like the Waugh twins and McGrath from returning until last week. However, with the leg-spinner Stuart McGill certain to play, the only decision that the Australians have to make is which one of their seamers to omit.

The choice seems to be between Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz, and although the captain Mark Taylor, who will be playing his 100th Test, is believed not to rate Kasprowicz too highly, he may play on his home ground.

England (from): M A Atherton, M A Butcher, N Hussain, A J Stewart (capt), G P Thorpe, M R Ramprakash, J P Crawley, D G Cork, R D B Croft, D Gough, A R C Fraser, A D Mullally.

Australia (from): M A Taylor (capt), M J Slater, J L Langer, M E Waugh, S R Waugh, R T Ponting, I A Healy, D W Fleming, J N Gillespie, M S Kasprowicz, S C G MacGill, G D McGrath.

Umpires: D B Hair (Australia) and K T Francis (Sri Lanka).