The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to take on England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature off the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced remains even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn 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 only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C
