🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly over following Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to take on England in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a object for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at this level and can embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C