🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match suggests the need for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and can welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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