🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to face England in the first Test. This extended group for the first match points to the requirement for calm temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring 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 although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C