The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-man team to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the requirement for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and can welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C
