🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure 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 although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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