How Much Individual Australian Team Member Can Influence the Test Series

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and can welcome the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter if needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure 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 run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C