🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to take on England in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the need for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to score big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C