🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically over following Australia announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out 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 veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting 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 shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C