🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost done after Australia announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the necessity for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and can seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and propensity to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C