PREVIEW-Cricket-Ashes opponents enter the unknown in Cardiff

By John Mehaffey

CARDIFF, July 7 (Reuters) - England host Australia in the first Ashes test starting on Wednesday without any of the obvious benefits of home advantage in a new venue with a relaid outfield.

Cardiff was controversially awarded the first test of the series with the traditional venues of Trent Bridge in Nottingham and Old Trafford in Manchester missing out. It will be the first test match staged in Wales.

England's Andrew Strauss, captaining for the first time in an Ashes series, told reporters after his team's warmup match against Warwickshire that his players were "walking into the unknown".

"We are not entirely sure what to expect. Both teams will go there not knowing what to expect and we can only judge when the test match is over," he said. "In world cricket home advantage counts for a huge amount."

The pitch is expected to be slow but offering no obvious advantages to the spinners and designed to last for the full five days.

Australia have a great batsman in captain Ricky Ponting while England possess, in Kevin Pietersen, a player capable of producing match-changing innings.

However, it is the bowling which holds the key in Cardiff and the remaining four tests and both sides will be debating up to Wednesday morning just which combination gives the best prospect of 20 wickets in the match.

Australia's hope received a body blow on Monday when fast bowler Brett Lee was ruled out through injury.