Australia Test team penpix

David Warner

Age: 33

Tests:79

Batting average: 45.47

The opener endured a disastrous Ashes campaign in which he averaged 9.5. But some hot form in the T20 arena has boosted hopes he will produce the goods again on home soil.

Joe Burns

Age: 30

Tests: 16

Batting average: 40.1

Scored 180 in his most recent Test in February but has been forced to bide his time since. The failures of Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft has opened the door for Burns to partner Warner again.

Marnus Labuschagne

Age: 25

Tests: 9

Batting average: 37.53

Bowling stats: 10 wickets at 30

Thrived in the Ashes after being subbed in during the second Test for a concussed Steve Smith. Has become a rock in the side since then and will be aiming to continue his strong form.

Steve Smith

Age: 30

Tests: 68

Batting average: 64.56

Bowling stats: 17 wickets at 55.76

Produced some superhuman efforts during the Ashes and is by far Australia's most important player. Is still desperate to win back the support of the public after the Sandpapergate scandal.

Cameron Bancroft

Age: 27

Tests: 10

Batting average: 26.23

The surprise pick of the 14-man squad after a poor Ashes campaign and a horrible start to the Sheffield Shield season. His fighting 49 against Pakistan in a warm-up game was enough to get him into the squad, but he is unlikely to make the final XI.

Travis Head

Age: 25

Tests: 12

Batting average: 42.70

Will be aiming to re-establish himself after losing his spot at the tail-end of the Ashes. The middle-order batsman has a healthy Test average and will be aiming to cash in on home soil.

Matthew Wade

Age: 31

Tests: 27

Batting average: 29.82

Only had two knocks of substance during the Ashes series, both centuries, and will need to produce the goods against Pakistan if he is to hold onto his spot this summer. He worked so hard to get back into the Test side and he must now prove he deserves to stay there.

Tim Paine (capt, wk)

Age: 34

Tests: 26

Batting average: 31.45

Has been a great leader since the Sandpapergate scandal but his batting is still questionable. Scored just his second first-class century last month while playing for Tasmania and will be hoping to transfer that form into the Test arena.

Pat Cummins

Age: 26

Tests: 25

Batting average: 18.15

Bowling stats: 123 wickets at 21.45

Amazingly made it through all five Ashes Tests and thrived in doing so, snaring 29 wickets at 19.62. Has overtaken Mitchell Starc as Australia's most important paceman.

Josh Hazlewood

Age: 28

Tests: 48

Batting average: 12.4

Bowling stats: 184 wickets at 26.57

The team's Mr Reliable when it comes to pace options. Was surprisingly overlooked at the start of the Ashes but showed his worth with 20 wickets at an average of 21.85.

Nathan Lyon

Age: 31

Tests: 91

Batting average: 12.23

Bowling stats: 363 wickets at an average of 32.3.

Has established himself as one of the best spinners Australia has produced. Surprisingly has struggled against Pakistan in his career, averaging 50.34 across seven Tests.

Mitchell Starc

Age: 29

Tests: 52

Batting average: 22.76

Bowling stats: 215 wickets at 28.26

Surprisingly played just one Test during the Ashes - highlighting how deep Australia's pace stocks run. The left-armer has regained his mojo in recent months and looms as a major weapon this summer.

James Pattinson

Age: 29

Tests: 19

Batting average: 26.73

Bowling stats: 75 wickets at 26.64

Has been ruled out of the first Test after an on-field slur landed him a code of conduct ban. The right-arm paceman was solid during the Ashes but will now have to rely on injuries or poor form from others to squeeze back in.

Michael Neser

Age: 29

Tests: 0

The right-arm paceman is a bit behind in the pecking order but his ability to post solid scores with the bat makes him a handy back-up option if selectors want the tail to run deeper.

Australian Associated Press