🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver 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 clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side until C