The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over after Australia unveiled a 15-member team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the need for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and should embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The experienced stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English pace attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. 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 contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C
