England were defeated by Australiawithin two days in the first Test in Perth and must avoid losing to keep their chances of reclaiming the Ashes alive.

In their sole change, England brought back 26-year-old Jacks for his first Test since 2022 after pace bowler Mark Wood.

Stokes explained that Jacks was chosen over fellow off-spinner Shoaib Bashir due to his batting skills, adding that Jacks had developed since his two Tests in Pakistan in 2022.

"Since joining the squad in Pakistan, he has transformed into the cricketer I always believed he could become," Stokes said on Wednesday.

"He’s incredibly skilled, and I think he’s grown stronger since the Pakistan tour around two and a half to three years ago.

"He’s been performing very well – it’s fantastic for us to have someone in good form stepping into a big Test match."

Stokes declined to comment on the possibility of Australia captain Pat Cummins making an early comeback from injury, as widely speculated in Australian media.

Australia will announce their team only at the toss, so England will find out if Cummins is playing just before the match begins.

"He’s achieved great things not only as a player but also since taking on the captaincy," Stokes remarked.

"Whether Pat is there or not, we will still be aiming to win."

Australia enter the match as strong favourites.

England have not won at the Gabba since 1986 and have only succeeded there four times in 22 Tests.

"You don’t want to overanalyze what happened or the result the last time the team played there," Stokes said.

"But we have grounds in England where we feel a bit more confident, not necessarily because of our record, but due to the atmosphere created by the crowds.

"I feel like the Gabba is their equivalent of Edgbaston or Headingley.

"They have an excellent record in pink-ball Test cricket, and we’re just excited to get started and hopefully secure a win this week."