🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited 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 key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C