The Australian cricketers are set to place their Ashes defence in the hands of their rawest bowling attack to play on British soil for almost 25 years,
With Brett Lee sidelined through injury, none of Australia's remaining full-time bowlers have delivered a single ball in an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom before the opener in Cardiff starting tonight.
Even the measured England captain Andrew Strauss admits his side holds a considerable edge, saying English conditions are a big plus.
Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Stuart Clark are all locked in with the coming weather to determine whether Australia opt for swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus or spinner Nathan Hauritz.
The last time that Australia fielded an attack in the UK that had fewer Test wickets between them was at Lord's in 1985 when the bowlers were Geoff Lawson, Craig McDermott, Simon O'Donnell and Bob Holland.
But Australia won that game 24 years ago and Lee backs his teammates to do likewise in the first ever Test in Wales.
