Among the questions asked before every summer is whether Australia will pick four fast bowlers for the opening Test in Brisbane.
Incumbent Test spinner Nathan Lyon, however, can't understand the fascination with going for an all-pace attack on the Gabba wicket and hopes captain Michael Clarke is of the same mind.
The NSW tweaker says he loves playing in Brisbane and can have just as much impact if the ball is moving off the pitch as the fast bowlers.
"It amazes me how many people talk about the four quicks and my theory is if it seams, it spins," Lyon told AAP.
"I'm obviously planning to play and hoping to get the gig come next Thursday."
Clarke would only say he'd leave his final selection until he'd seen the Gabba wicket when asked about choosing four quicks for next week's Ashes opener against England at the Australian team selection on Monday.
The last time Australia didn't pick a regular spinner for the summer's first Test was when a pace line-up of Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson beat New Zealand by 149 runs in 2008.
Lyon, who has 85 wickets at 33.23 from his 25 Tests, also has a solid record at the Gabba in his two Test appearances at the venue.
The 25-year-old has 11 wickets at 24.09 in Brisbane including a seven-wicket match haul against the Kiwis in 2011.
After regaining his place in the Test line-up during the Ashes campaign in England, Lyon has overcome a challenge from Fawad Ahmed to retain his spot and says he can't wait to get the summer underway.
"To be able to play a vital role in an Ashes game is pretty exciting," Lyon said.
"Hopefully I can get a bit more bounce out of the pitch there and create a few chances. Keep bowling well and we'll see where we get to."
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