🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-man team to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and ought to seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batter if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and habit to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring 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 though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only 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 star batsman will step in to captain the side till C