Few clues as Lehmann names XI for Essex

Darren Lehmann believes he and his fellow selectors are close to knowing the make-up of Australia's XI for the opening Ashes Test, barring the sort of mind-boggling events that are supposed to descend on this week's final warm-up match in Chelmsford.

Weather forecasts are tipping temperatures edging upwards of 32C across Essex on Wednesday when the four-day match begins, the sort of heatwave that traditionally sees electricity supplies overstretched, health warnings issued and sales of ice-soaked knotted handkerchiefs soar.

So concerned are Australia team officials about the furnace that awaits they are believed to have dusted off their preparation notes for last October's tour to the desert kingdoms of the UAE, and taken the unusual step of already naming their team for the Essex game so the players involved can adequately hydrate.

Quick Single: Aussies wrap up big Kent win

Actually, most of the above isn't true.

Except for the forecast.

As well as the prospect of black-outs, and the health risks.

And the bit about the handkerchiefs, which are still an integral accoutrement of the British summer wardrobe.

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Lyon ran the drinks in Kent, but will play against Essex // cricket.com.au

But it's the slim chance that something totally unforeseen – like a UK heatwave in June – might happen that ensures Lehmann and his lieutenants cover off every possible contingency with the opening Test in Cardiff now 10 days away.

As a result, reserve wicketkeeper Peter Nevill will take the gloves at Chelmsford lest incumbent Brad Haddin suffer a last-minute mishap, as was the case in Edgbaston six years ago when he fractured a finger in the warm-up and was replaced by Graham Manou after the coin toss.

The other players rested from the 255-run win over Kent – David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Adam Voges – will also get a gallop.

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Starc will open the bowling in Chelmsford // Getty Images

And those deemed to be needing more runs under their belt and/or more miles in their legs – Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh and Ryan Harris – will front up again, as will skipper Michael Clarke whose appetite for batting is exceeded only by his desire to win an Ashes series in the UK.

But while Lehmann won't divulge any clues as to the line-up they plan to take into Cardiff with two notable exceptions ("Clarke, Smith" were the names he volunteered when asked how the selection process was tracking) he indicated the final call between all-rounders Watson and Mitchell Marsh is not yet resolved.

"It's going to be tight isn't it," he said when quizzed on the performance of Marsh in Canterbury where he scored a blazing second innings hundred and took a wicket in each Kent innings, while Watson was rested from the bowling crease.

Video: Marsh, Watson hit out in day three highlights

"I thought he (Marsh) was exceptional in the second innings as was Shane Watson (who made 81) to be perfectly honest.

"We need Watto bowling and he'll definitely bowl in the next tour game so that's going to be a key for us as well.

"I thought he bowled really well in the West Indies for a short amount of time, so we know that's important for us especially in England.

"He shapes the ball nicely so he's going to have to bowl well.

"We know the rough (first Test) line-up we want to go with but how that shapes up will still depend a bit on performance."

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Lehmann says selectors are 'close' to deciding their best XI // cricket.com.au

Lehmann also forewarned that those hanging on every utterance and non-verbal clue as to who will make muster for the first Test not to find a conspiracy theory regarding the decision to rest Shaun Marsh from game against Essex, currently ranked fifth on the nine-team Division Two county ladder.

Marsh had the honour of scoring Australia's first century of the tour with his 114 opening alongside Rogers against Kent, and Lehmann pointed out he is one of four top-six batsmen (along with Warner, Smith and Watson) to have played each of the past five Tests.

The fact that he was installed as an opener in Rogers' absence during the two-Test series in the Caribbean, and again at Canterbury to grant Warner a break, has heightened debate that he might be cut from the team should Rogers' experience in English conditions see him return.

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Warner enjoys a moment on the boundary with his family // Wendy Dray

But it seems more likely the older Marsh's fate depends on whether the selectors believe Adam Voges, who starred on debut in the West Indies, is a safer bet (and a fifth right-hander in the top seven) against England's bowlers than his Western Australia teammate.

Voges chance to make that case will come at Chelmsford.

As veteran pace bowler Ryan Harris acknowledged yesterday, there are no carry-over credits when it comes to a Test berth.

Quick Single: Harris under no illusions

The 35-year-old wouldn't have been rapt with his opening spell after he took the new ball ahead of Mitchell Johnson on the fourth morning in Canterbury, being regularly picked off by Kent opener Daniel Bell-Drummond and returning 0-26 from his first three overs before he switched ends and found his rhythm.

Lehmann, who as coach of Queensland several years ago claimed Harris was the first player he would name if asked to pick an Australia Test team,  echoed his fast bowlers' view that it's results not reputation that will decide the XI for Cardiff.

"(There are) no credits for players as far as we're concerned," Lehmann said after the Kent match, as the team prepared to travel to their next base at a country club outside Colchester.

"The two Test matches in the West Indies the three quicks who played there (Johnson, Starc and Hazlewood) got (30) wickets for us so that's really pleasing.

Video: Harris talks about his Ashes preparations

"At the end of the day, Ryan Harris has got to be fully fit and if he's doing that then he's a big part of our side or squad going forward.

"He's got to prove to us he can bowl 20 overs in an innings or roughly about (he sent down 16 and 14 against Kent) and make sure he's ready to go.

"If he can do that, he certainly comes into consideration."

While the Australians will be lucky to find a spare hour to sample the lakes and links golf courses on offer at their new digs, England's 14-man squad are reportedly settled into a five-star golf resort on Spain's Costa Almeria, which boasts its own cricket facilities amid its other attractions.

Among the items likely to be discussed at the bonding session, largely designed to allow new coach Trevor Bayliss to meet his players having arrived in the UK from Sydney last week, will be plans to quell the world's number one Test batsman, Steve Smith.

Video: Smith completes ton on day two in Kent

Lehmann has read with bemused interest claims in the media from ex-Test spinner Graeme Swann and current fast bowler Stuart Broad that Smith's technique is likely to be exposed by the Dukes brand ball with its propensity to swing.

And that his installation at No.3 in Australia's batting order is good news for England's Ashes hopes.

"I thought this sledging stuff was supposed to stop – there's a lot of sledging going on in the media," Lehmann laughed citing bowler James Anderson's claim that the historic on-field verbal battles between the Ashes rivals should be toned down.

Quick Single: Anderson calls for sledge-free Ashes

"Smith's a pretty good player, I think he got 199 (batting) at No.3 the other week (against the West Indies).

"And it (the Dukes ball) has pretty much always swung in the history of the game here in England, so  you've got to be a good player to make runs.

"I think Steven Smith is a good player."

Australians XI to play Essex: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.