🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost finished following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the need for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C