🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to score big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-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 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 recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C