The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key fast bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The experienced remains even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C
