🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost done following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to take on England in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C