England’s big Ashes gamble

Visitors put faith in fast bowling barrage

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England's Jofra Archer, right, and Mark Wood shake hands during a T20 match last year. AFP

(AFP)

England go into the first Test against Australia on Friday with arguably their most hostile attack in decades, putting their faith in fast bowling in a quest to regain the Ashes.

Not since a bowling lineup led by John Snow and Bob Willis helped England toa 1970-71 series win, have they arrived in Australia with such an array of genuine quicks.

In Jofra Archer and Mark Wood they have two bowlers of express pace, both capable of regularly topping 90mph (145km/h).

Josh Tongue is also a wicket-taking threat, while Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts add depth to an impressive attack that could feature Gus Atkinson, a seamer whose 13 Tests have yielded 63 wickets at an impressively low average of 22.01.

If England captain Ben Stokes can stay fit after a series of injuries, his lively medium-pace should help balance the attack.