As the first Ashes Test kicks off in Perth on Friday, England is bursting with optimism, looking to start the series with strong momentum. This excitement is fueled by their recent form and the fact that Australia will be without both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, two of their premier fast bowlers. England has not clinched an opening Ashes Test in Australia for almost four decades, nor have they tasted victory in Perth since 1978. However, this time, the traveling team feels equipped to finally alter these long-standing records.

Central to the pre-match buzz are Australia's injury concerns. Out of action are captain Pat Cummins and dependable bowler Josh Hazlewood, who together boast a combined total of 604 Test wickets. Their absence poses a significant challenge as the team gears up for the first 'Bazball' contest. Steve Smith will take over leadership duties in Cummins' absence.

To fill the gaps, Australia will rely on Scott Boland and newcomer Brendan Doggett. Boland is well-known for claiming seven wickets on his debut during the 2021/22 Ashes series, but he experienced a rough outing against England in the 2023 series. Meanwhile, Doggett enters the fray with promising domestic performances, despite having no Test experience.

While England has prior experience with limited-overs matches at Perth Stadium, this will mark their first Test at the venue. Historically, their encounters at the former WACA ground have been tough, enduring eight consecutive losses. Their most recent Test there, which took place in 2017, resulted in an innings defeat that cost them the Ashes.

From that agonizing 4-0 defeat, only Joe Root still remains. For most of Ben Stokes' squad, Perth is uncharted territory. Several players are making their Test debuts in Australia, including paceman Gus Atkinson. He notes that he carries 'no scars' from past losses, viewing this as a mental advantage.

Recognizing the importance of a strong start, England is aware that historically, they have never won an Ashes series in Australia after going down 1-0, with the exception being in 1954/55 under Len Hutton. Their previous series in Australia got off to a disastrous start when Rory Burns was bowled on the very first ball, leading to an all-out score of 147 and a nine-wicket loss.

Leading Australia's attack will be Mitchell Starc, who is still a formidable threat at 35 and has bolstered his fast bowling skills. He remarked on the inevitability of injuries in fast bowling but expressed confidence in Australia's depth. Starc praised both Boland and Doggett for their current form.

Though England has yet to finalize their bowling lineup, they have numerous options available. Fans are eager to witness another epic showdown between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith, a rivalry that peaked during their last significant encounter in 2019 when Archer famously struck Smith with a bouncer, creating a memorable moment in Ashes history.

In their warm-up, Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue showed promising performances, implying that England might opt for a four-fast-bowler strategy. Joe Root also contributed with some spin while specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir bowled for the England Lions.

Questions linger over Australia's batting lineup as well. Marnus Labuschagne is back after good domestic performances, while new opener Jake Weatherald is set to make his Test debut, taking the place of Sam Konstas. Cameron Green, having recovered from back surgery, is ready to play, meaning Beau Webster may miss out. Labuschagne could return to his preferred number three position with Weatherald facing the new ball.

With Australia weakened by injuries and England arriving with a rejuvenated outlook, the opening Test is shaping up to be both thrilling and unpredictable. The new faces and unsettled lineups on both sides suggest we may witness unexpected performances. For England, this represents one of their best chances in years to overturn long-standing losing records and seize control of the Ashes right from the outset.