🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to confront England in the first Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the need for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and habit to hit massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side until C