Lurking at the Waca as England trained for the first time on the Ashes tour was Mitchell Johnson, their 37-wicket destroyer-in-chief of the 2013-14 whitewash. He is all smiles now but retains the air of a man who would love to get among England’s brittle top order. After all, the side he dismantled four years ago arrived with plenty more pedigree.

James Vince is one of those Johnson would not mind bowling at. The Hampshire batsman, who is expected to bat at No3, did not obviously deserve a Test recall, and admits his surprise at being back. Seven Tests in 2016 brought a top score of 42 and an average of just 19, while his County Championship form in 2017 – he averaged 33– did not obviously merit a recall. There were a couple of typically dreamy centuries, but much flightiness too, until he dug in for a 124-ball 30 to save Hampshire’s season at Edgbaston.

But Vince, 26, remains highly rated – as a batsman and leader – and England believe that he has the game to thrive in Australia, an assertion backed up by some words of encouragement from his Hampshire team-mate George Bailey, part of Johnson’s side in 2013‑14. He played grade cricket for Melville in Perth aged 16 and 17, staying with Dimitri Mascarenhas’s mother, and has enjoyed catching up with old friends, reminiscing on trips that “helped my cricket and helped me as a person”. Since then, he has also been on Lions tours to Australia and played in the Big Bash.

“From a batting point of view the Kookaburra [ball] generally does a bit less [than the Dukes],” he says. “There will be a bit of time when the new ball swings and a period when they’ll try to get it to reverse, but it’s a good place to come and bat and hopefully my game is well suited to playing here.”

Like Gary Ballance, who appears to be competing for a spot at No5 with Dawid Malan, the languid right-hander says he has not made marked technical changes since being dropped, when he regularly fell driving loosely. He does, however, feel he has learned from that experience and arrives better prepared this time.

“I need to be more aware of different situations and shot selection,” he says. “There are a couple of technical things, my bat path, but nothing major. It was probably more about dealing with off-pitch stuff, the scrutiny and analysis from the TV. The mental side as much as anything.

“Everyone gets caught in the slips in Test cricket at times but I want to be more selective in the balls I’m trying to attack and defend. Out here it could be a good scoring opportunity for me, if the ball’s not moving about. It’s not a shot I’m going to put away. I’ll just try to be smarter in the times I use it.”

England have their first full net session on Wednesday, and Vince does not hold any fear over their opposition, saying he is not daunted by Mitchell Starc, and describing Pat Cummins as inexperienced. Cummins had also revealed his plans for England’s tail: “Bounce ’em,” he said, “just like any other batsman.”

Vince believes he is ready and senses an opportunity to seize his unexpected second chance, with plenty of holes in England’s top order. At a pre-tour training camp at Loughborough, Alastair Cook – who knows all about the best and worst of an Ashes tour – spoke, encouraging batsmen like Vince, Malan, Ballance and Mark Stoneman to seize the chance the tour presented.

“Cooky told us that if you do well in an Ashes series in Australia it counts for a hell of a lot,” says Vince. “He said it’s a great opportunity for guys to stand up and make a name for themselves. Cooky obviously has a lot of experience out here and is a world-class player himself.”

Another world-class player is missing and Ben Stokes’ runs need replacing – for now. Vince would love to see his friend join the tour, but believes England have the strength to thrive without him. “I don’t know the ins and outs,” Vince adds, “I just hope at some point he can get out here. Of course [we all hope he can make it]. He’s one of the best players in the side. If we get him then great but if we don’t then we’ve got a good squad here that can cope with the Aussies.”