To What Extent Each Australian Player Might Affect the Ashes Series

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to continue his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at international cricket and can embrace the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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