The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace replacements, 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 confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C
