To What Extent Each Australian Team Member Might Affect the Ashes Series

The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the first match indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. 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 Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C