🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly over after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and habit to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C