To What Extent Every Australian Player Could Impact the Ashes Series

The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to face England in the first Test. The larger group for the first match points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C