The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to confront England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the requirement for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and should seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to score huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better 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 shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side till C
