🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the first match indicates the need for calm temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely 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 back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C