Australia's leader is also their best player, and is known as a creative and attacking captain. "I'll do everything I can to help our team win as many games of cricket as possible, and sometimes you risk losing," he said in his recent book. Questions remain, as ever, regarding his long-term back problems Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Warner is a devastating batsman and can score runs extremely quickly. He has been in superb form in domestic cricket of late but had a terrible Ashes series in England, and was dropped after an infamous nightclub run-in with Joe Root Photograph: David Crosling/AAP
At the age of 36, Rogers is enjoying the latter stages of his career after making his name as a strady run-scorer in domestic cricket. When he scored a century in the last Ashes series he became the second-oldest Australian to score a Test hundred. Rogers is also colour blind, which means he can have difficulty picking out the red ball - not that it has hindered an admirable career too badly Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Like Clarke, he has been troubled by injury in the run-up to the Ashes. Not that that state of affairs is a surprise: Watson's body has let him down throughout his career. England trapped him lbw time and time again throughout the last Ashes series but, like Warner, on his day he can make a mockery of opposition bowling Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Tipped by some to one day replace Clarke, Smith started out as a bowler who could score a few runs but is now known as a batsman. Had a mixed Ashes but scored a superb century in the final Test of the English summer Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Bailey is uncapped but performed superbly when he stepped in as Michael Clarke's replacement as captain for the ODI tour of India. Questions remain whether he can replicate his form in the Test arena but he certainly has the talent Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images
A solid wicketkeeper and a steady presence in the middle order, Haddin can also score quick runs when needed and his stright drive is a pleasure to behold Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Johnson has long been a byword for inconsistency and provided England supporters with a pantomime villain before Warner came along. At his best – and he has been approaching that recently – he can be almost unplayable when banging it in at pace. A decent batsman too, and has a Test century to his name Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Harris was one of the few Australians to emerge with much credit from the last Ashes series, when he terrified England's batsmen on more than one occasion. At the age of 34, and with a chronic knee injury, he knows this is probably his last Ashes series – if he can stay fit, he could well help Australia win it Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Surely the greatest vegan woodchopper every to have taken part in the Ashes, Siddle is another supremely talented player in the squad held back by injury. Siddle has genuine pace and can swing the ball too Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Replaced Ashton Agar as Australia's spinner midway through the previous Ashes series and performed well enough in the fourth Test to warrant a place for the return series. Gets good flight on the ball, even though and is approaching 100 Test wickets Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Scored Australia's fastest one-day century during the recent tour of India. A likely 12th man but can bowl as well as bat, so makes a good back-up Photograph: Andrew Cowie/AFP/Getty Images
