🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to confront England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for composed heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a reserve after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at this level and ought to embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C