🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to face the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the need for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and can seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C