🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over following Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match indicates the need for cool temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side until C