🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and can welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C