“It’s become something that traditionally Australia have been very good at,” said Marnus Labuschagne, the format’s leading run-scorer.

England fell 1-0 down in the five-match series following a humiliating eight-wicket loss to Australia inside two days in last month's first Test in Perth.

Under the governing body's four-tier rating system "very good" is the highest possible, characterising a pitch with "good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match".

Like former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Brendon 'Baz' McCullum has never been one for a U-turn -- as cricketer, captain or current England coach.

Head proved the difference between the sides during the opening Test in Perth.

"It is simple. Brainless batting and bowling lost England the match."

"Little bit shell-shocked, it was pretty phenomenal from Head," Stokes said.

"Little bit shell-shocked there. Travis Head was phenomenal, jeez that was some knock," England captain Ben Stokes said.

It is the first time Australia have chosen multiple debutants in a Test since early 2019.

The most controversial Ashes series of them all was brought about by a desire to curb Bradman's phenomenal run-scoring.

"I hope the groundsmen stick to their guns and prepare the wickets they want," Starc told Australian media.

"I think the experience, not just through red ball cricket, through all the formats, you put all the pieces together."

Waugh said on Tuesday that Bailey needed to make tough calls to regenerate the side and had failed to do so in the past, putting Australia's future at risk.

In-form batsman Marnus Labuschagne was recalled, but young opener Sam Konstas was dropped.

England and Australia have been docked crucial ICC World Test Championship points and have been hit with fines for maintaining a slow over-rate during the men’s Ashes.

From the first ball, with Zak Crawley striking a boundary off Pat Cummins, till the last ball on July 31 when Stuart Broad took the wicket of Alex Carey, the cricket world experienced 45 days of edge-of-the-seat cinematic action that could not have been scripted by mortals.

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja was left to rue a "frustrating" ball change which he believed played a key role in England's fightback to win the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

 England spinner Moeen Ali will not be coming out of retirement again after helping England draw the Ashes series against Australia 2-2, he said on Monday.

A spectacular Australia batting collapse at The Oval on Monday ended the world champions’ hopes of a first series win in England since 2001 but Pat Cummins’ men still hold the Ashes after one of the most absorbing and dramatic series ever played between test cricket’s oldest rivals.

 England captain Ben Stokes said on Monday the 2-2 draw in the Ashes series showed his side had "walked the walk" after losing the first two tests against Australia, which made every test thereafter "a do-or-die situation".