🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the first Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the necessity for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to seize the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and habit to score big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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