🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically over after Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor off the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C