Sam Konstas appears poised to be called into the Australian XI for the West Indies tour and Josh Inglis is also pushing hard for a Test return following the poor loss in the WTC Final at Lord’s.
However, Steve Smith’s injury has raised the prospect of extra reinforcements being called into the squad for the Caribbean. Pat Cummins said decisions would be made over the next 48 hours.
Here is a look at the six key candidates knocking on the door of the Australian squad and therefore entering the radar for the Ashes.
The SA captain (pictured) was dropped midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy largely as a circuit-breaker to try to overcome the freakish Jasprit Bumrah.
If there’s a vacancy at No.3 or No.4, McSweeney would be far more suited to that than turning him into a makeshift opener.
McSweeney’s presence on the tour of Sri Lanka this year was a pointer to the fact he was still seen as next cab off the rank.
Selectors love his character and he’s also an outstanding fieldsman, an attribute which would be missed if Marnus Labuschagne was dropped in the Caribbean and Smith was unavailable.
Called up to the Australia A set-up, Patterson, 32, cannot be ruled out of a late rebirth in the vein of Chris Rogers, Adam Voges and Usman Khawaja.
Patterson made a hundred in the last of his two Tests in 2019 before he was brutally axed for the Ashes tour of that year.
The NSW No.3 has gone to hell and back since but had a bumper Sheffield Shield season for the Blues.
He has also made two half centuries in his two matches in county cricket for Surrey.
The left-hander is reliable making starts against the new ball and has forged his long-term first-class career as a specialist No.3.
Australian selectors were very clear that Marsh’s Test career was not over when with a heavy heart they dropped him for the Sydney Test for Beau Webster.
Marsh at his best has been a damaging Test batsman in recent years and with Webster in the squad, he wouldn’t have to bowl.
It would be bold to consider Marsh as a top-three batsman but he has filled that role in white-ball games.
A great team man and glue in the dressing room.
Made a hundred for SA in the Sheffield Shield final and at 25 years of age he is a player of the future.
Sangha has batted at No.4 for the SACAS and his record is improving since moving from NSW to SA.
JAKE WEATHERALD
A specialist opener who has 12 first-class centuries from 70 odd matches.
Weatherald is a left-handed opener who looks to move the run rate along and is playing in the position of greatest need for Australia.
Has had his chances in Tests but not pushed his case for a more permanent crack.
He probably doesn’t have the runs on the board after a less than emphatic season for Queensland.