The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost over following Australia announced a 15-player squad to confront England in the first Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The veteran fast bowler is once more selected as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and tendency to hit huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned remains despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C
