Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has revealed the side's playing XI for the World Test Championship Final, starting this evening against India at The Oval.
Victorian pace bowler Scott Boland has been given the nod ahead of Queensland's Michael Neser, having taken 28 wickets in seven Tests at a supreme average of 13.43, including a masterpiece bowling performance of 6/7 against England at the MCG.
Neser had originally been named in the 15-man squad as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood, who is out due to a side injury sustained whilst playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
Speaking to reporters about Boland's inclusion, Cummins says the decision comes as one to have a different variety of seamers to test out India's classy batting.
"We're big on kind of everyone bowling slightly differently," Cummins said.
"Scott is a seam bowler on a good length, but he just offers something slightly different to Joshy Hazelwood, and Starcy being a left-hander is a bit different.
"So I don't think there's ever a pecking order. You think about the three guys that you want to go out and play."
With a long-tour of the UK spanning nearly eight weeks, Cummins says it opens the door for New South Wales tearaway bowler Sean Abbott and Neser to put themselves in contention for an Ashes debut.
"That's the luxury of having bench strength," Cummins said.
"Hoff (Hazlewood) was really close to being available for this one so he'll be available for the first (Ashes) Test.
"Ness (Neser), you see hoe well he's been doing in county cricket, Sean Abbott's here, so I'm sure we'll be calling on a lot of resources.
"You don't want to finish off a Test match with something (left) in the tank knowing that you've got other guys fresh that you could bring in a few days later."
Australia will have former Zimbabwe star batsman Andy Flower as part of coach Andrew McDonald's staff, who has been helping the team adjust to the unpredictable English conditions.
Flower coached England in a drought-breaking 24-year Ashes series victory in 2010/2011.
"Today was his first time around the group," Cummins said. "He'll dip in and out, a different voice.
"He knows these conditions really well, hopefully knows the opposition. If he can give is one little bit of insight into playing in England that we haven't though about, then it's worth it.
"Andrew's worked with him quite a bit and you've seen is over the years bring in different people at different times. Pretty lucky to have someone as experienced as Andy."
