🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to face England in the first Test. The expanded group for the first match points to the necessity for composed heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the unique chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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