🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team until C