🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the initial game points to the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer 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 matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to score big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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