The Australian media has suggested that the home team may go for the selection of quality left-arm pace in the Ashes after the exposure of the tourists' glaring weakness against left-armer bowlers, who have claimed 18 wickets in the past two Tests against England.
Mitchell Starc, currently injured, and James Faulkner combined for nine scalps in the drawn fifth Test at The Oval while roaring Mitchell Johnson rocked England with nine in Australia's first Test triumph at the Gabba.
According to News.com.au, New Zealand left-armers Trent Boult and Neil Wagner shared 23 wickets in a three match series drawn 0-0 when England visited in March this year.
Although New Zealand did not have the hostile pace to land a knockout blow, the report mentioned that Johnson did the same at the Gabba, adding that Australia is now stalking England at every turn with a possible threat to unleash all-rounder Faulkner with Johnson at every opportunity.
According to the report, Jonathan Trott was claimed 11 times by left-armers against New Zealand and Australia in Test series before succumbing to a stress related illness while Cook fell to Boult and Wagner six times in nine starts against New Zealand.
Although unheralded England pace duo Tymal Mills and Harry Gurney were even summoned as net bowlers in the build up to the Ashes series in Perth, it was a futile attempt to simulate Johnson's 150km/h speed and angle and was no substitute for the genuine article.
Australia would have to rest strike bowler Ryan Harris or demote George Bailey after his Gabba debut to utilise Faulkner in Adelaide or beyond this series, the report added.
