🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the need for calm minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking 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 failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C