The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced paceman is once again selected as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting 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 of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C
