🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost done following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and can embrace the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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