🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost done after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the need for cool temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and ought to seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia 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 remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. 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 helped turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team until C