AT THE END OF THE DAY | Ashes player power rankings ahead of Gabba test

So to celebrate the return of our old rivals, I've put together a ranking of my top 15 players who are expected to feature in the opening Gabba test match. This will encompass how much I expect them to play a role in the series, how intrigued I am about them in general and everything else that should make the next two months great to watch.

Taking out top spot on the list has to be the newly appointed skipper himself.

As many have noted, the quick will be the first fast bowler to captain Australia since Ray Lindwall led the charge for a single match against India in Mumbai in 1956.

Will he be able to keep hold of the firepower that has made him one of the best bowlers in the world, or will the captaincy weigh him down?

Of course the English/Kiwi all-rounder would feature up near the top.

He is one of only a few men in their expected XI that truly scares me with bat in hand, while his bowling is nothing to laugh at.

I find it hard to believe he can pull off anything similar to his Edgbaston, but just knowing there is a chance is enough to keep me up at night.

If you think this seems a bit high for someone who has only played four matches then you might be right, but if Green can become what I hope he does, then in four years time this will probably be too low.

As his counterpart has already proved, all-rounders can be the true lifeblood to a team. This is even more so the case with Australia whose batting and bowling is starting to show some grey hairs.

My projected leading run-scorer for the series couldn't wait any longer.

I think it's fair to say that Smith, above all, holds the weight of the Ashes on his shoulders. If he can keep producing in the Ashes like he has done in the past, then Australia should have no problem taking down the Poms on home soil. Should he fail and a weak batting line-up might just crumble around him.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think this blonde-haired, baby-faced bowler would cause such destruction during his career.

I'm sure David Warner is having nightmares just thinking about facing up to the quick, even if the supporting cast that England have brought along is one of their weaker in recent memory.

Speaking of weak bowling line-ups...I can't tell if I should be happy or sad to once again see the same Big Four lining up for the Gabba.

One thing I do know, is that Hazlewood is someone to fear and I wouldn't dream of leaving him out of the match...speaking of.

This would be the first player whose ranking does not reflect how well I think they will do this series.

Shane Warne has been his ever-bitter self in throwing the tall left-armer to the wolves and while I might not agree with how he has gone about business, I do think Warne was right in saying Starc shouldn't be in the side.

Can he prove me, Warne and a host of other critics wrong? I hope so.

The two Ollies both have an abundance of potential and I have loved watching them play so far.

What they can do with that potential is still up in the air, but they are two of the only Englishmen who I would be happy to see succeed (after this series of course).

No, I did not forget about the opposition's skipper, but can you honestly say that you feel an overwhelming delight in watching him bat?

Despite all the talent that he possess (and there is a lot), he doesn't interest me the way other prolific run-scorers do. If anything, ranking him this low is a testament to his consistency, of which I think will shine through once again.

I think if Australia is to win the Ashes, that it will be the fast bowlers who are to thank.

That isn't to say Lyon won't have points in time where he will prove useful, but I see his role as more of a holder, than a match-winner.

Is anyone else just the teeniest bit tired of seeing this modern great throw tantrums out on the field?

Similar to Root, I know that he is going to put up runs, so the excitement of when he first burst onto the scene is not there any more.

I loved this pick as Paine's replacement, but I am also under no illusion that he will likely play an insignificant role in determining the outcome of this series.

I envision him as a Brad Haddin-like player who took over for a veteran and will have a solid but not overwhelmingly great career, and that is just fine by me.

I don't know exactly what it is about him, but there's something that just scares me that little bit about Malan being a difference-maker.

Saying that, batting number three, he could also prove a difference-maker for Australia and neither scenarios would surprise me.

Who could forget?

I don't have high hopes for Warner and I'll be more scared watching him bat than not, but hopefully he can pull some magic out of his bag for one more big performance.

You could tell me any of these players would get dropped for the second test and I wouldn't bat an eyelash.

My series prediction: Australia win 3-1.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: