Pat Cummins did suggest England could struggle against an Australian side that includes superstar batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner and bowling giants Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

Cummins warned England that an Australian side boasting some of “the all-time greats” will be tough to beat in the Ashes.

Pat Cummins warned an Aussie on Tuesday that some of the “all-time greats” would be hard to beat as England’s. The task became tougher to miss Jimmy Anderson’s first Test. The home team defended itself in the first match of the Ashes in Brisbane on Wednesday. And lost nine of their last 10 Tests, in line with their arch-rivals Australia’s disappointing record.

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“He’s clearly a great player and it’s a shame he won’t be out tomorrow. But it doesn’t change what we’re going to do,” said the Australian captain, who took charge of his first Test.

Anderson’s apparent absence leaves England with all-rounder Ben Stokes to choose four bowlers from among Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, and Jack Leach.

They were already without pacer Jofra Archer. Archer is not on tour due to recovery from an elbow injury, and Ollie Stone who missed back surgery.

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The news comes a day after England captain Joe Root refused to unveil his squad. While Australia confirmed their starting eleven over the weekend.

Cummins, who took the reins after Tim Paine stepped down over a text-messaging scandal, named Root, the world number one Test batsman, as the key wicket-taker for Australia.

“I look around my team and we’ve got a very special team,” he said. Although Australia hasn’t played a Test since January because of Kovid.

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“We’ve got some of the all-time greats in Australian cricket in our changing rooms. And when you click most of them we’re going to be a very tough team to beat.

“We get on really well and have a lot of fun, so hopefully a tight group. We’re enjoying our cricket and we’re tireless when we get a chance to play,” he said.