🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener points to the necessity for calm minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and tendency to score big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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