The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost done after Australia announced a 15-player lineup to face England in the first Test. The larger group for the series opener points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned fast bowler is again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the field. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the periphery 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 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side until C
