Ashes 2017: Australia suffer mini injury crisis ahead of series opener; while England name Jake Ball in XI

Australia’s Ashes plans were thrown into doubt on the eve of the series with two of their top order batsmen suffering injuries.

David Warner was unable to bat properly in the nets for the second day running due to a neck injury and Shaun Marsh, who has been picked to bat at six, has a stiff back.

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell has been added to the Australia squad as cover. Warner pulled a muscle in his neck during fielding drills on Tuesday and batted for only a few minutes in the nets on Wednesday due to the pain. He only faced throwdowns from the coaching staff rather than proper bowling, playing a couple of pull shots but soon left for further treatment.

Marsh batted in the nets but complained of a stiff back afterwards. The fact only one player has been called up as cover so far suggests Australia are confident one will be fit for the start of tomorrow’s first Ashes Test and Steve Smith, the captain, tried to sound hopeful that Warner will play.

“Davey's going well. He's just had a hit … he's very confident, and he says he's good to go,” said Smith.  “I think he's improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours. We hope he can continue improving and be 100 per cent at 10 o'clock in the morning. He said he'll even bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to, and face the other way.”

Losing Warner would be a massive blow for Australia who, like England, rely on two senior batsman to hold their innings together. If he does not play then Marsh would open with debutant Cameron Bancroft. If Warner is passed fit, but Marsh ruled out then it will be a straight swap with Maxwell at six.

Australia’s batting looks as shaky as England’s and is partly why they have built up their bowling attack to such an extent in the lead up to the series. Smith carried on the theme today.

“Thinking back to 2013/14, when Mitchell (Johnson) was bowling in the nets, these guys are just as nasty – if not more nasty, at the moment. A couple of the nets sessions I've had against (Pat) Cummins and (Mitchell) Starc have been quite scary, so that's really exciting for us. These three have been working up towards this (series) … they're fresh, they're bowling fast.”

England, meanwhile, have named Jake Ball in their XI in two changes from the side that played in the final Ashes warm-up match. Ball replaces Craig Overton while James Anderson comes in for spinner Mason Crane.

Root said: "It wasn't an easy decision. Craig has come into the squad and everything asked of him he's done really well. All the players on their first tour have impressed and it's great that the whole squad seems to be performing.

"Jake has bowled well when he's had his opportunity on the tour and the way he goes about things on these surfaces could be really challenging for the Australians."

Root also again highlighted the inexperience in Australia’s attack, pointing out none of the pace bowlers have played in a home Ashes Test.

“I think they're three very talented cricketers. They've done some good stuff for Australia in the past, but for all three of them it's their first Ashes series in Australia. I'm sure they'll be feeling the heat, he said.

“There's been a lot of noise, and comparisons made about them, and they've now got to go and try to replicate that. A lot of the guys have played against these fellas before, and know what they're going to bring to the table. I think we're very well-prepared on what to expect from them, and the lads have worked really hard.”

England's XI (batting order to be confirmed at the toss): MM Ali, JM  Anderson, JM Bairstow, JT Ball, SCJ Broad, AN Cook, DJ Malan, JE Root, MD  Stoneman, JM Vince, CR Woakes.