🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side till C