🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a object for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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