🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game indicates the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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