England soak up jibes as they seek sure start to winter Ashes

Alastair Cook has won the Ashes three times but if there is one achievement that has eluded him during his distinguished career, and one he will be desperate to rectify against Australia starting tonight, it is England winning the first Test of an overseas series against a major Test country. Aside from Bangladesh, they last won an opening Test abroad in 2004 when they beat South Africa in Port Elizabeth.

Since then they have proved slow starters, though that may be about to change if the determined mood in their camp is anything to go by. There is no doubt that Australia have wound England up on this tour, on and off the field. It is deliberate, of course, and Cook's side have mostly bitten their tongues in the face of provocation that has ranged from weak opposition, Michael Clarke naming England's team for the Test, to Mitchell Johnson mouthing off about hurting batsmen in the press.

But the time has come for both teams to work off their frustrations with each other, the prize a crucial early lead in cricket's most coveted series. With the last three Ashes series on their CV England probably expected a modicum of respect when they arrived here but they have had none, which makes this a potentially edgy encounter, providing the forecast for rain does not turn it into a damp squib. It is the possibility of storms that has had Australia contemplating playing James Faulkner, a bowling all-rounder, in place of Nathan Lyon, the spinner largely redundant at the Gabba unless the sun can get on the pitch for the first few days. Whichever team Australia play they have been virtually unbeatable at the Gabba for a generation, having last lost a Test here against the West Indies 25 years ago. England last won here in 1986-87 when Ian Botham belted a hundred, but overall England's record at the ground is woeful, having won just four from 19 Tests. That could change this time but England's preparation has not been as seamless as it was coming into the series here three years ago, even though they drew the corresponding match then.

They have a new, but very capable, opening batsman, Michael Carberry, and a convalescing wicketkeeper, Matt Prior. Although not yet ruled in or out with his calf injury, he is one of the stalwarts of the team as well as vice-captain. Yesterday, he batted in the nets and worked on his keeping with Bruce French, a black strapping very evident on his left calf. He is a fine, experienced competitor but the series is five matches long. With a 10-day gap between this Test and the next, at Adelaide, it might be more sensible to get him completely healed rather than risk a recurrence by playing here.

"Matt's a very valuable member of the side, a hugely experienced cricketer and a huge help for me as vice-captain," said Cook. "But you have to be sensible. You could have him for this one game but if he then goes back five major steps and gets a bigger tear in it and misses three or four then we'll look stupid. If he plays four out of five that's better for us. But he's been given every opportunity because we know how valuable he is to us." If he is not fit Jonny Bairstow will play, yet Cook would not confirm the identity of his third seamer. By a process of elimination and England's desire to maintain pressure with the ball, it is almost certainly Chris Tremlett, the big-boned Surrey seamer who is the least risky option among the three 6ft 8in giants vying for that final bowling spot.

Also, Tremlett has done well in Australia before, though he did not play in Brisbane last time. Compared to the English summer, where they used 18 players in the series, Australia appear more settled. To 10 of the team who played England at the Oval three months ago, they have added George Bailey for a debut at the age of 31, and Johnson, recalled to continue a Test career of highs and lows. Yesterday in the nets, it was uncanny to see how the old verities about the two played out, Bailey unable to lay a bat on the red ball and Johnson unerringly finding the middle of everyone else's bat with it. With white balls, the two are among the best exponents of their craft in world cricket, but a change of colour and format can create doubts. Much has been made of the potential role of the captains. Indeed, England were perturbed about how Australia, despite being beaten 3-0 a few months ago, seemed to have gained the moral high ground after accusing England of playing dour, boring cricket. But if it struck a nerve, then it has gone now, with Cook admitting he would take a win, however dull.

"We want to play good cricket," said Cook. "But if you offer me a 1-0 victory now where we scrap every game, then I'll snap your hand off, because that's how important it is." Clarke would also take any kind of win, having not tasted one for the past nine Tests. His reputation for being an aggressive and proactive captain has made him a hostage to fortune, but however funky he is Australia are unlikely to compete unless he has a good series with the bat.

"When you cross the line against England it is always tough cricket," said Clarke. "As captain it is very important that you lead from the front. And I think batting is a part of that, scoring runs. To me the most important thing about captaincy is getting the best out of your players." One obvious advantage Cook has over him is in his and his team's use of the Decision Review System, which for this series has Real Time Snicko and an improved Hot-Spot. Teams will also have their reviews reinstated after 80 overs, irrespective of whether they have used none, one or both of their reviews.

Both boards are keen for technology to be used, as is the broadcaster Channel Nine, but Clarke is not convinced, having criticised it in his recently published Ashes Diary. He had pulled back from that position yesterday, saying he had no problems with it provided it was consistent. Enhanced technology or not, the match will be Kevin Pietersen's 100th Test, the hallmark of a true great. A man who likes to respond to the big occasion, few would put it past Pietersen to deliver something special, which is why Cook wanted him back after he was dropped for his treachery towards Andrew Strauss in 2012.

"That's an outstanding achievement," said Cook. "It shows that for a long period of time you've been a very valuable member of the side. Kev's been excellent since this time last year and all that stuff happened."