The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-member lineup to face England in the first Test. The larger squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 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 the top level and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and propensity to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped 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 recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C
