🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game indicates the necessity for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at the top level and can welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to hit huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets 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 Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C