Australian coach Tim Nielsen believes reverse swing will have a massive role to play in the battle for the Ashes.
Nielsen feels Australian paceman Brett Lee and his England counterpart James Anderson will be key performers should that facet of the game come to the fore at Cardiff in the opening Test on Wednesday.
Lee picked up seven wickets against the England Lions at Worcester but Nielsen's plans suffered a blow today when the fast bowler was ruled out of the first two tests through injury.
Anderson meanwhile has emerged as one of England's most consistent and leading bowlers in the absence in recent series of Andrew Flintoff who is now fit again.
Speaking prior to Lee being ruled out, Nielsen said: "I think reverse swing will play a big part. Brett bowled it so well in the first innings at Worcester.
"He bowled a very impressive spell of 90 miles an hour plus fast bowling with the ball reversing in.
"That is his big strength when the ball starts to do that, especially with his pace. He has done it well in the past and Anderson does a good job with it for England.
"If the ball stops swinging naturally, the idea is to try and get it going reverse as quick as you can.
"With fast outfields and flat wickets, you need something happening otherwise good batsmen will get a lot of runs. I think it will play a huge part."
Nielsen is confident paceman Mitchell Johnson will be firing on all cylinders by the start of the five-day clash at the Swalec Stadium.
Johnson looked ring rusty in the first innings against the Lions but bowled with more accuracy and fire on Saturday in dismissing openers Stephen Moore and Joe Denly.
"Mitchell definitely got better against the Lions. His pace was up", Nielsen said. "He was able to go over and around the wicket which is a good sign for his rhythm.
"He got the ball through nicely and worked out a couple of things from the first innings that hadn't worked quite right.
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"He is coming along nicely and, with a couple of run-outs in the nets under his belt on Monday and Tuesday, he will be primed and ready for the Test match."
