The time for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the need for calm heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and can welcome the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
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 back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team till C
