First look at Windies Test pitch as Aussies eye major shake-ups with Ashes on horizon: Ultimate guide

After the disappointment of the World Test Championship final defeat, Australia’s return to the Caribbean was always going to feel like a bit of a reset heading into the new WTC cycle.

But that was accelerated by the axing of long-time No.3 turned opener Marnus Labuschagne and the injury to superstar Steve Smith (he could return for the second Test), forcing changes to the Aussie batting line-up.

It turns the national men’s side’s first Test matches in the West Indies in 10 years into a series of auditions for this summer’s blockbuster Ashes series, and for the future as well.

Sam Konstas, ignored for the Sri Lanka tour and WTC final, will return to the side while Josh Inglis - who starred with a century on debut in Sri Lanka - gets another audition for a long-term position.

Travis Head has waved off suggestions he would open with Konstas likely to partner Usman Khawaja with Inglis or Cameron Green at No.3.

How the new-look Aussie XI will perform isn’t the only mystery, with the pitch at Bridgetown for the Opening Test a bit of an unknown.

It rained during Australia’s training session on Sunday meaning they didn’t get a look at the Kensington Oval surface, but it’s believed the team is considering picking two spinners given Barbados has historically provided a slow-bowler friendly pitch later in innings.

That would give Matt Kuhnemann, who starred with 16 wickets on this year’s tour of Sri Lanka, another run alongside Nathan Lyon.

In turn that would squeeze out a quick, meaning the likes of Scott Boland and potential debutant Sean Abbott would find it more difficult to nab a spot while one of the big three of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc is rested.

A first look at the Barbados pitch, via Nine's Tom Decent.

“I think we’re prepared for anything, really, and we’re prepared for probably both in the same game,” Head said on Sunday.

“It could be starting a game and then it could shift into different modes, different, I guess, plans of attack.

“As a batter, you’re sort of planning for anything at the moment and then once you get a look at the lay of the land you come up with a plan.

“At the moment, we’re trying to cover all bases.”

The series will use a Dukes ball, as seen at Sheffield Shield level pre-2020, with Head explaining “it always offers something through the whole time, it’s a little bit harder and plays a little bit different to the English one.

“If there’s any grass on the wicket or any assistance, then the bowlers will be happy – which is good, it makes for good cricket.

“It makes you always feel like you’re in the game and as a batter through those years I did enjoy batting through those periods because I felt like there was always runs on offer if the bowlers slightly missed.”