🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the need for composed temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. 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 much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking 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 as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

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 games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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