🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly done following Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a substitute after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and should welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven 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 Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and tendency to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C