England vs. Australia, 1st Ashes Test: 5 Key Storylines Heading in to Cardiff

The phoney war is almost over as the first Ashes Test between England and Australia gets under way in Cardiff on Wednesday.

There has been no shortage of stories bubbling away in the run-up to the series opener.

Will Michael Clarke's side be as generous of spirit and attacking in nature as Brendon McCullum's New Zealand?

Will England's Test players show the same flair displayed by the one-day squad earlier this summer?

Is the coach just someone to take players to the ground or will England's new Aussie chief Trevor Bayliss have a big impact?

Will it be a series too far for the Aussie Dad's Army? How will England's youngsters cope with the pressure of an Ashes cauldron? Will they have an answer for Mitchell Johnson?

Read on as we discuss the key storylines in greater detail.

The Spirit of the Game

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New Zealand's recent tour of England was one of the most memorable of recent years. It wasn't just the adventurous manner on show from both sides that wowed the crowds, though.

The superb spirit in which both the Test and ODI series were played was a compliment to Brendon McCullum, Alastair Cook and Eoin Morgan.

Both sides showed it was possible to play hard but also show respect for the opposition. There was no dissent to umpires, no pointless send-offs and no boorish backchat. And it made the series a much better watch.

Can we hope for the same now the Aussies are in town? Early impressions suggest not.

Speaking in a press conference last week, Aussie skipper Michael Clarke said (per NDTV), “I know I probably say this every series—but we respect there's a line you can't cross. Both teams might 'head-butt' that line, but I'm confident we won't overstep the mark."

An England team containing James Anderson and Stuart Broad will hardly be mistaken for a choirboys XI either.

A hugely competitive Ashes, yes please. One punctuated with puerile "banter," no thanks.

Will England Carry On Attacking?

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Conventional wisdom suggests that Michael Clarke is a hugely innovative captain, while Alastair Cook is a pedestrian plodder.

Attacking instinct appears ingrained in the Australian skipper's DNA. Such flair from Cook needs a little more coaxing.

England's Test captain will have surely been influenced by England's bold approach in the ODI series against New Zealand, though. Too often, England have looked as if they're trying not to lose rather than going all out for victory.

Playing positively doesn't necessarily mean scoring at five runs an over. There will be times when they have to play a rope-a-dope style, waiting for a chance to counter the undoubted Aussie aggression. When those opportunities arise, they have to grab them.

If both sides do go toe-to-toe we could be in for a classic.

Dad's Army Versus the Young Ones

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The Australian XI that takes the field in Cardiff could potentially include six players over 30. England, by contrast, are a young and potentially exciting side on the up.

Whether England's relative novices are yet able to match their more hardened opponents remains to be seen.

The intent seems to be there. Whether the youngsters have the skills to match the attacking instincts will go a long way to deciding the outcome of the series.

England's Aussie Coach Trevor Bayliss

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Just how important is a coach to an international cricket team? Speaking on Sky Sports' Cricket Writers On TV, former Aussie skipper Ian Chappell said the difference a coach can make is just “two or three percent.”

What can England expect from Trevor Bayliss, then? Having coached New South Wales he'll certainly have some ideas about the strengths and weaknesses of the Australian side.

The former Sri Lanka coach will make sure that his new charges don't back down against the aggression shown by his countrymen.

Speaking to reporters (per Reuters) Bayliss gave an inkling of what spectators can expect from his side. “To be successful against Australia, it’s certainly not going to be by taking a backward step or allowing the Australians just to dictate terms.”

In 2013, Darren Lehmann turned Australia from a rabble into a competitive side in the space of a few games.

England aren't at that low ebb. If Bayliss can deliver a two or three percent improvement, the series could be much closer than many pundits expect.

Which Mitch?

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Which Mitchell Johnson will turn up this year? If it's the one who picked up 37 wickets and terrorised England's lower order Down Under in 2013/14 then the hosts are in trouble.

If it's the one who could barely hit the cut strip in 2009 and didn't even make the team in 2013 then so much the better for the home side.

The recent workout in Australia's warm-up game against Kent suggested the former. Rob Key scored 87 against the tourists but was seriously impressed by Johnson. He said, per the Daily Telegraph.

"

For a large part of that I thought there is no way I get paid enough to be facing Mitchell Johnson. He is a different level. He’s a serious bowler who can intimidate you but also move the ball around. He’s tough and there would be a few England batters who would be happy if he’s not in their team. He’s a proper, proper bowler.

"

If England's tail can't find an answer to Johnson, it could be a long summer for Alastair Cook's men.