Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has looked to predict the XI's for Australia and England ahead of next week's first Ashes Test.

With preparations ahead of the summer having been deeply impacted for both camps, selectors are continuing to meddle with their prospective batting orders for what will be a crucial series for both nations.

The Australians hold the upper hand ahead of next Wednesday's Brisbane Test, having retained the urn for the second successive series in 2019 following the 2-2 tie abroad.

To make matters worse for the Barmy Army, England have arrived down under with an undermanned squad, with the absence of bowler Jofra Archer set to be a prominent talking point in the early matches of the series.

England's Jofra Archer reacts during play on the fifth day of the second Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on August 18, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

The English's hopes were buoyed by Ben Stokes' inclusion into their squad for the summer, while the likes of veteran Jimy Anderson, top-order batsman Dawid Malan and skipper Joe Root also firm as key pillars of the British attack.

For the Aussies, their hopes of retaining the Ashes for another year were struck by the shock captaincy resignation of Tim Paine, who will not feature for Australia indefinitely.

Pace bowler Pat Cummins has stepped into the role of captain, with former skipper Steve Smith appointed as his right-hand man.

Paine's absence will also see the gloves up for grabs, with South Australian Alex Carey set to be handed the baggy green ahead of the English-born Josh Inglis.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 07: Alex Carey of the SA Redbacks bats during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on December 7, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

The Australian selectors will also be mulling over their choice for the No.5 spot, with previous international incumbents Usman Khawaja and Travis Head both vying for the middle-order role.

And then there's Australia's bowling attack, which is also yet to be settled.

The stalwart quartet of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon could be shaken this summer, with Jhye Richardson firming as a likely option in the tail.

And that's exactly what Shane Warne sees, with the legendary leg spinner suggesting in his Ashes prediction column with News Corp that Starc's standards are best suited to first class.

Warne has also opted for Head over Khawaja, and surprisingly Inglis over Carey for the Gabba Test, with Richardson slotting into Starc's place at No.9.

In the English camp, Warne placed the onus on their selectors to pick a full-time spinner for the summer, with Jack Leach their leading option to form a tandem with Root.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 09: Joe Root of England walks onto the ground at the conclusion of the tea break during day two of the Four Day Tour match between the Cricket Australia XI and England at Adelaide Oval on November 9, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Veterans Anderson and Broad also hold down the attack, with Chris Woakes and Stokes aiding the workload.

Youth is a certainty to open England's batting order, with Warne opting for Zac Crawley and Rory Burns as the one-two punch for the Poms.

Malan lands at first drop before the likes of Root, Stokes, Johnny Bairstow and Jos Buttler lead to the tail.

Shane Warne's predicted Australia XI:

David Warner
Marcus Harris
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Cameron Green
Josh Inglis
Pat Cummins (C)
Jhye Richardson
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood

Shane Warne's predicted England XI:

Rory Burns
Zac Crawley
Dawid Malan
Joe Root
Ben Stokes
Johnny Bairstow
Jos Buttler
Chris Woakes
Stuart Broad
Jack Leach
Jimmy Anderson