🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the need for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side till C