🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batter whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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