🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the need for calm minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented 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 paceman is again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should embrace the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C