🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should seize the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C