🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically over following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to confront England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the need for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and can embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C