🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the necessity for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and habit to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C