DAVID WARNER
Age: 30 Tests: 57 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 48.08 Dominated the recent trans-Tasman ODI series, delivering Australia victories in Canberra and Melbourne with contrasting tons. The vice-captain posted a pink-ball century in a Sheffield Shield clash at the Gabba in October.
MATT RENSHAW Age: 20 Tests: 1 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 44.00 The freshest face in Australia's new-look Test side. The patient opener finished 34 not out on debut at Adelaide Oval, helping the hosts snap a five-Test losing streak, and won't be overawed in his home Test.
USMAN KHAWAJA Age: 29 Tests: 20 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 45.59 Enjoyed a breakthrough summer in 2015/16 and has taken it to another level recently. The Pakistan-born batsman produced a career-best knock of 145 in the day-night Test against South Africa, spending almost eight hours at the crease.
STEVE SMITH Age: 27 Tests: 47 Playing role: Right-handed batsman Test batting average: 57.48 Started his captaincy with an undefeated run of 11 Tests but the honeymoon period stopped unceremoniously during a five-Test losing streak. Widely recognised as one of the best batsmen in the world.
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PETER HANDSCOMB Age: 25 Tests: 1 Playing role: Right-handed batsman Test batting average: 55.00 An unorthodox technique failed to stop the Victorian from stroking the winning runs on Test debut, while he also delivered a timely half-century when that game was in the balance.
NIC MADDINSON Age: 24 Tests: 1 Playing role: Left-handed batsman Test batting average: 0.00 Failed to get off the mark on Test debut, when he was bowled by a cracking delivery then copped a send-off from Kagiso Rabada. Is likely to need a big score to stay in the XI if Shaun Marsh is passed fit later this month.
MATTHEW WADE Age: 28 Tests: 13 Playing role: Wicketkeeper Test batting average: 33.00 Recalled at the expense of Peter Nevill for the recent day-night Test in Adelaide, where he scored four but was a notably a more vocal presence behind the stumps.
MITCHELL STARC Age: 26 Tests: 31 Playing role: Left-arm fast Test bowling average: 27.66 Now one of the first picked in the XI, it is staggering to think he was dropped from the Test team 11 times prior to claiming the mantle of spearhead in 2015. Should have the pink ball hooping in Brisbane.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD Age: 25 Tests: 23 Playing role: Right-arm fast-medium Test bowling average: 25.61 Australia's most consistent bowler in the recent Test series against the Proteas, delivering breakthroughs in good times and bad. Offers great control and will ask a lot of questions of the tourists with the new ball.
NATHAN LYON Age: 29 Tests: 60 Playing role: Right-arm offbreak Test bowling average: 33.48 Was on the cusp of being dropped following a lean run that coincided with Australia's five-Test losing streak. Generally does his best work on pitches with some bounce, like the Gabba.
JACKSON BIRD Age: 30 Tests: 6 Playing role: Right-arm fast-medium Test bowling average: 26.75 Was surprisingly overlooked for the first two Tests against South Africa then recalled for the dead rubber in Adelaide, where he grabbed three wickets including the key scalp of Quinton de Kock.
CHADD SAYERS Age: 29 Tests: 0 Playing role: Right-arm medium Test bowling average: N/A Expected to carry the drinks again in Brisbane but the swing specalist's record in the Sheffield Shield over the past five years, especially with the pink ball, is very impressive.
