The Ashes: Scott Bolland says Joe Root is the England player who should remain calm

Boland looked likely to be the first-choice backup to Australia’s pace attack in this series, but he will now be in Australia’s XI for the opening Test following injuries to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood.

Boland and Mitchell Starc are likely to be joined by 31-year-old Brendan Doggett as specialist seamers.

“Obviously you don’t want to miss great players like Josh and Pat,” Boland said.

“Our bowling stocks have been really strong for a long time – and no one has been able to break through them.

“It’s going to be an exciting time. He’ll get a look at a new guy or two. They’re not inexperienced guys. Brendan is 31, he’s played a lot of first-class cricket and he knows his game. He knows what he’s going to have to do to express his skills on the big stage.”

England’s attacking style of batting will be tested on what is expected to be a lively pitch at Perth Stadium.

The tourists’ batsmen will also have to adapt to the spacious playing areas at Australian venues, which are much larger than Test venues in the UK.

“I’m sure it will help us,” Boland said, speaking at Perth Stadium. “Balls that would go over the fence in England have a longer way to travel at venues like here, the MCG and the Gabba in Brisbane.

“It’s the same for them. When bowlers bowl their short balls, you have to hit it 85 meters instead of 65, so it’s a big difference.”