🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main 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. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and ought to embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter whether required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side till C