🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the first match indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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