🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face the English side in the first Test. The larger group for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C