🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener points to the need for composed minds during the fiery contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team till C