The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-man team to face England in the first Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the need for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at international cricket and can welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true 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 Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old 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 could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C
