🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically over following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman if required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series 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 injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and propensity to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though 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 position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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