🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and can seize the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and tendency to hit huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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