Australia get first look at Perth pitch as Ashes countdown begins

Australia’s Test stars have had their first look at the Optus Stadium surface ahead of Friday’s Ashes opener in Perth.

On Monday morning, captain Steve Smith and wicketkeeper Alex Carey were spotted inspecting the pitch that troubled the hosts last summer, when India stormed to a resounding victory in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Steve Smith and Alex Carey take a look at the Optus Stadium pitch, four days out from the first Ashes Test.

Four days out from ball one, the wicket has a noticeable green tinge and an even grass covering. But with Perth temperatures forecast to hit 33 degrees on Monday and 31 on Tuesday, the pitch is expected to dry out by the end of the week.

Former Test captain Greg Chappell wrote in his column for this masthead last week Australia should prepare for a Perth surface that “boasts a reputation built on sheer pace and bounce”.

“The strip here is pure energy, where the ball flies with a velocity unmatched anywhere else,” Chappell wrote.

Optus Stadium curator Isaac McDonald told The West Australian last week he expected there to be “pace and bounce” in the pitch.

“Something in it for the quicks, something in it for the batters. Good batters scored good runs and the quicks were in the game in the last few Tests here,” McDonald told the West Australian.

“[We’re] aiming for that really good balance between bat and ball but the characteristics of pace and bounce have got to be there and we’ll see what happens on day one.”

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Australia will train for the first time on Monday afternoon having arrived in Perth on Sunday.

England’s players have been given the day off after completing a practice match last week.

More to come

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