Ashes 2013: Australia Hand Debut to James Faulkner

Australia will hand James Faulkner his Test debut in the fifth Ashes Test against England in one of two changes at the Oval.

The all-rounder Faulkner replaces Usman Khawaja while Mitchell Starc comes in for Jackson Bird. Shane Watson will bat at three.

Faulkner has played eight one-day and three T20 internationals for Australia while he averages 22 with the ball and 30 with the bat in first-class cricket.

"He's a wonderful young talent but I think he's got the toughness to mix it with any opposition in any form of the game at the highest level," captain Michael Clarke said.

"He's a fighter, he's a competitor, he might not look the best all the time but he'll find a way to stay out there and help his partner go on and make a hundred.

"Generally, the better the conditions are for batting the better bowler James is because he's at you all the time and he's extremely competitive.

"I think he's the right character for this team."

The alterations represent further changes for an Australia side who haven't kept the same team for two consecutive tests of an Ashes series in which they trail 3-0.

Watson will bat in his fourth different position during the tour after having opened and then come in at four and six in the matches at Old Trafford and Chester-le-street.

While Australia have rung the changes again, England captain Alastair Cook is promising a full-strength England side who will be without Tim Bresnan due to a back injury.

Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn are battling for the third seamer spot, but suggestions were rife that with the Ashes due to resume in November and with the series won, England may rest front-line bowlers Stuart Broad or James Anderson.

But Cook says the hosts will be full-strength and that Anderson - who has been short of his best in the series despite taking 17 wickets at 31 - is desperate to make amends.

"He will admit he's been slightly off-colour but a slightly off-colour Jimmy Anderson is still a mighty fine bowler," Cook added.

"He'll be desperate to lead the attack as he has done for a number of years."