🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for cool heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C