Joe Root keeps England XI under wraps for 1st Ashes Test: 'Not in a position to name our team right now'

Australian captain Pat Cummins took the bold step on Sunday of confirming his match lineup, three days before the Ashes opener, but Joe Root refused to indulge in the details of England's playing XI.

England captain Joe Root denied playing "mind games" with Australia even as he remained tightlipped about his playing XI for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. The five-match series will begin with the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 8.

Australian captain Pat Cummins took the bold step on Sunday of confirming his match lineup, three days before the series-opener, but Root skirted issues around the makeup of England's batting and bowling lineups.