Rated: Australia's 17 players out to win the Ashes in England for first time since 2001 - in pictures

A look at the squad that Tim Paine will lead in the five-match series

Tim Paine. Australia's captain. Looking to be first skipper since Steve Waugh to oversee an overseas Ashes series win over England. Will also serve as wicket-keeper. Getty

David Warner. Back in the Test squad following his ban for his part in the infamous ball-tampering scandal. Big things will be needed from him at top of the order. Can bat well in England, as his Cricket World Cup efforts demonstrated, but in his past eight Tests on English soil has never reached three figures. Getty

Cameron Bancroft. The opener is back in Australia's squad for the first time since ball-tampering scandal. Stint at Durham paid off with two centuries and two fifties to demonstrate he is in good nick. PA Photo

Usman Khawaja. Met his Test debut for Australia back in 2011 against England. Now an established part of the side and will likely bat at No 3. Getty

Steve Smith captained Australia to the 2017-18 Ashes series win. Was banned for 12 months for his role in the ball-tampering scandal and lost the captaincy. If he plays in first Test at Edgbaston will be his first Test appearance since the drama in South Africa. PA Photo

Mitchell Marsh. The all-rounder gets a recall after a poor end to 2018 that saw him dropped after the Boxing Day Test against India in 2018. His two hundreds against England in the 2017-18 Ashes is likely the thinking behind his call-up.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh will be expected to contribute with bat and ball to Australia''s cause. Getty

Travis Head. Made his maiden hundred against Sri Lanka in Canberra in February and has made a solid start to life in Test cricket since making his debut against Pakistan in Dubai in October. PA Photo

Marnus Labuschagne. Another all-rounder option and capable of big hitting. Might not start the series but may well come into contention later on. Getty

Marcus Harris. Six Test matches to his name. Likely to be back-up to the David Warner and Cameron Bancroft partnership. Getty

Josh Hazlewood. Has 164 Test wickets to his name and will expect to add a considerable amount to that tally in conditions that should suit him. PA

Mitchell Starc. A lot rests on Starc's shoulders. When he is at his best, and has his inswinging yorkers firing, he can be unplayable. Bowled well at the Cricket World Cup and now needs to transform that from white ball to red ball cricket. Getty

Nathan Lyon. Australia's premier spin bowler will have a big role to play in his third tour of England. Getty

James Pattinson. Injury has disrupted so much of the 29 year old's career. Took seven wickets in his two appearances in England in 2013 and if he stays fit he will trouble the home side's batsmen. Getty

Peter Siddle. On the 2009, 2013 and 2015 tours of England that all ended in defeat. The bowler will hope it is fourth time lucky. Getty

Matthew Wade. Wicket-keeper but could make the side as a batsman with captain Tim Paine almost certainly holding the gloves. Getty

Michael Neser. The surprise pick in Australia's squad. Only two ODIs to his name in his international career. Took four wickets in the Hadden XI v Hick XI match and Australia clearly looking at his medium pace being effective in English conditions. Getty

You have to go back to August 2001 for the last time Australia were victorious in an Ashes series victory in England.

Players such as Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist celebrated at Trent Bridge after victory in the third Test clinched proceedings for a side led by Steve Waugh.

Australia have since lost the past four series in England and are aiming to stopping that run when the 2019 competition begins with the first Test at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Tim Paine captains Australia this time and Thursday will be the first time he has competed in a Test in England.

Australia named their squad on Friday with most of the headlines focused around the return of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

It is the first time the trio have been picked in a Test select since their role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March 2018 that saw all three banned.

Smith and Warner, who were captain and vice-captain, were suspended for 12 months from international cricket, with Bancroft getting nine months.

Australia's selectors have given themselves plenty of options with the ball. There are five pacemen, one dedicated spinner, and three all-rounders in the players they have picked.

Check out the 17 players in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.