🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the need for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C