🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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