🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to take on England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C