🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically over after Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and can seize the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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