🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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