🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C