England's Ashes preparations -- or lack of -- have come under renewed fire after they were well beaten in Brisbane on Sunday to leave them staring down the barrel in the series.

Australia cruised to an emphatic eight-wicket win over England in the day-night second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Sunday for an ominous 2-0 lead in the series.

England captain Ben Stokes and off-spinner Will Jacks led a fighting rearguard action to ensure Australia will have to bat again in the day-night second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Sunday.

Australia are on the brink of grabbing a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series after dominating a demoralised England on the third day of the day-night second Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon made no secret of his disappointment with being dropped for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, saying he had not yet been able to bring himself to speak to selectors about the decision.

England fast bowler Brydon Carse said his team has firm plans to counter the threat posed by Travis Head after the Australian made a blistering century at the top of the order to set up an eight-wicket win in the Ashes series opener in Perth.

England's Joe Root on Sunday questioned whether the Ashes needed a pink-ball Test as he expressed confidence in his ability to get a big score in the day-night clash against Australia in Brisbane.

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad said the second Ashes test starting Thursday next week will be a lottery and the toss is a key factor in Brisbane with the pink ball.

England captain Ben Stokes said Saturday that lessons had been learned from their crushing first Test loss to Australia but that the team had moved on, as he defended a decision for players to skip a pink-ball tour game.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald is hopeful skipper Pat Cummins will be able to play in the second Ashes Test and thinks it highly unlikely that quick Josh Hazlewood will miss the whole series.

Makeshift opener Travis Head smacked an explosive 69-ball century to power Australia to victory in a high-octane first Ashes Test on Saturday as England meekly surrendered in the Perth Stadium cauldron.

"Wow, what a couple of days. It's been unbelievable," said Head

A venomous Mitchell Starc struck three times during an intimidating opening spell to leave England in trouble on day one of the first Ashes Test against Australia on Friday in Perth.

Reclaiming the Ashes on Australian soil would be a defining moment for England, head coach Brendon McCullum said as they gear up for the first test against Australia starting on Friday in Perth.

Steve Smith cut a relaxed figure when he named the Australia team for the opening clash in his ninth and possibly final Ashes series on Thursday, a far cry from the perpetual angst that used to be his hallmark at the crease.

England have included pace bowler Mark Wood in a 12-player squad announced on Wednesday for the first Ashes test against Australia.

Australia head into the Ashes with an ageing "Dad's Army" group of players and concerns about a lack of depth to follow in their footsteps, but chief selector George Bailey is adamant the team's veteran core still has what it takes.

England's fast bowling cartel are relishing playing in Australian conditions with star quick Jofra Archer in a "happy place" and brimming with confidence while Mark Wood is "full of energy".

Australia was dealt a huge blow Saturday with pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the first Ashes Test against England with a hamstring strain, joining Pat Cummins on the sidelines.

Skipper Pat Cummins has poured cold water on Australia fielding four frontline fast bowlers during the Ashes series against England, saying it was "very unlikely" spinner Nathan Lyon will be overlooked.