🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost done following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and can embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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