🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side till C