🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the need for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and should welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must also be considered 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 at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C