🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and can embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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