🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly done after Australia announced a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the need for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C