In the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Australia has been asked to bowl first by England after making the decision to exclude Mitchell Starc from the playing XI. Captain Pat Cummins confirmed that Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood would both be part of the lineup, leaving Starc as the unfortunate omission.

“It’s a tough call, especially on Mitchy,” said Cummins at the toss on Friday. “I thought he was very impressive last week in the World Test Championship final, but we have a squad mentality. It’s a good problem to have someone like Josh Hazlewood coming in.”

Cummins also mentioned that if he had won the toss, he would have chosen to bat.

England captain Ben Stokes’ decision to bat first is notable as it is the first time he has made such a call in a home Test match, with the team typically preferring to chase in the fourth innings. However, the Edgbaston pitch appears flat, and the weather is clear in Birmingham.

“It looks like a really good wicket, a good toss to win, but now we have to go out and put some runs on the board,” said Stokes.

Boland, who had not been previously selected in a full-strength Australian attack, has impressed with a remarkable start to his career, taking 33 wickets at an average of 14.57. Hazlewood, who has faced injuries in recent years, brings control and a fresh presence to the team.

Starc, despite his wicket-taking abilities, has been left out for the first time since the 2019 Ashes when fit. Australia is expected to rotate their pace bowlers throughout the English summer, with Cummins keen to lead in all five Tests.

England had already announced their lineup earlier in the week, featuring veterans Stuart Broad and James Anderson, while Mark Wood was overlooked.

Stokes expressed excitement for the much-anticipated series to finally commence, saying, “It’s an amazing feeling. After all the hype surrounding this series for the last six months, it’s obviously a very special moment for me and the rest of the guys.”

Australia Squad: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

England Squad: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.