Australia’s four-man pace attack have been presented with a big chance to prove they can take a fast bowling edge into the Ashes.

Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick won the toss and elected to bat in the four-day first-class tour match against the Australians at Taunton on Wednesday.

Australia have made their intentions clear by selecting four of their six seamers in the opening match of their Ashes campaign.

The four bowlers to play against Somerset won’t necessarily all feature in the first Test, with Ryan Harris and Jackson Bird also in the squad, however it shows Australia are looking to play to their strengths – with their batting still a major worry.

Mitchell Starc struggled in his return from injury during the Champions Trophy, playing just the first match against England before being dropped.

The left-armer is potentially the most dangerous bowler in the attack, but things can go badly wrong if his rhythm is out.

Tasmanian bowling allrounder James Faulkner has been selected in the side on the back of an impressive Champions Trophy campaign and another involved performance could have him in the XI for the first Test against England at Trent Bridge starting on July 10.

Australia’s batting order also provides an interesting insight into the plans of Michael Clarke and new coach Darren Lehmann.

Shane Watson reverts to his favoured position opening, while Phil Hughes is set for an interesting move down to No.5.

Skipper Clarke, in his return from a three-month injury layoff, will bat at No.4.

Faulkner is down to come in ahead of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

The Australians are keen to make an immediate statement under Lehmann after a tumultuous few weeks that culminated with former coach Mickey Arthur’s sacking on Sunday.

Somerset: Marcus Trescothick (capt), Nick Compton, Christopher Jones, James Hildreth, Craig Kieswetter, Alex Barrow, Peter Trego, Craig Meschede, George Dockrell, Germaal Hussain, Jamie Overton, Tom Abel (12th).

Australia: Shane Watson, Ed Cowan, Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke (capt), Phil Hughes, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith (12th)