🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly over following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the need for cool minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and habit to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after 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 did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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