🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically done after Australia announced a 15-member team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting 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 currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C