No Ben Stokes, no worries for England if they've got Chris Woakes.
The English allrounder showed he has the potential to fill Stokes' shoes with figures of 6-54 in his team's last warm-up game against an inexperienced Cricket Australia XI, leaving them 9-249 after day one.
It marked the second time in a week Woakes has made light work of the young side, after he also took 4-17 last week in Adelaide as the CA XI were rolled for 75.
On Wednesday, the English paceman took 4-8 in 22 balls during his second spell then returned to begin cleaning up the tail alongside Stuart Broad (1-33).
Test hopeful Craig Overton (2-32) also edged closer to his debut. Seemingly next in line if Jake Ball fails to recover from an ankle injury by next Thursday, the medium-pacer claimed two wickets.
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Stokes' availability is still uncertain, as a police investigation remains ongoing into an alleged street brawl in September.
"With Ben being away all of us have got to step up," Woakes said.
"Hopefully I can do that, hopefully I can score runs and take wickets. That's my plan. I'll be trying my best to do that."
The 28-year-old Woakes has played just one Test this year through injury and non-selection, but averages 32.14 with the bat compared to Stokes' 35.72.
He claimed the scalps of CA XI openers Jake Carder (39) and Nick Larkin (30) in the first two overs of his second spell of Wednesday, after the pair had put on a 66-run opening stand.
Ryan Gibson (7) and Jason Sangha (0) also fell in quick succession to the English quick after the lunch break, the latter to a ball that swung back some way and trapped him lbw.
He then had Harry Neilsen (20) caught at gully after tea before he clean bowled Simon Milenko (19) with the first delivery with the second new ball.
"I felt like today it came out pretty nicely, which was good for me," Woakes said.
"I was pleased with how it came out, my rhythm was good.
"I feel like I'm building well heading into that Test series."
Offspinner Moeen Ali (0-39) also got through unscathed on return from a side strain, but the day's main concern came when wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow left the field with an injured finger.
Bairstow received attention from England's medical staff after copping a delivery on the bounce from Woakes, but returned an hour later with team officials insisting the problem was only a bruised middle finger on his left hand.
Meanwhile CA XI captain Matthew Short provided a resistance of 51, while Daniel Fallins is 29 not out after going after legspinner Mason Crane (0-87) late.
