The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced seamer is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C
