🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match suggests the need for calm minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to score big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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