As the two sides get set to do battle across three Tests, which players would make up a joint team?
The No.1 Test opener in the world, according to the ICC's revised rankings, and it is easy to see why. Warner has banished his Ashes demons and in more familiar surroundings has enjoyed a stellar start to the international summer.
After a fine T20 series he blitzed his way to a maiden triple-century against Pakistan and followed it up with another hundred in the next match. He might be the man supporters of other nations love to hate but with an average approaching 50, there is plenty to like from an Australian point of view.
Another batsman making a mockery of the supposed difficulty of opening in the current era. Latham may have been replaced by Warner as Test cricket's premier opener but there is no doubting his ability and calmness at the crease.
Latham has transformed his career over the last 12 months. His 11th Test century in the second Test against England was the fifth time in the space of 10 innings he had gone to three figures, having previously gone nearly two years without reaching the landmark. It is a testament to his talent that such results are now expected.
The debate over which of the big three is truly the best across all formats will surely never reach a resolution. Seemingly every time Virat Kohli or Steve Smith make a positive contribution to the conversation resumes with a different agenda.
In this particular cricketing utopia, being able to call on both of them is stuff of fantasy. However, there is surely no debate over who project cricket in the best light. Williamson is a perfect example to budding professionals of how carrying yourself with class can translate into fine performances in the middle. On that basis alone, you can't see him letting up any time soon.
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That comparisons have ever been drawn between the former Australia batsman and Don Bradman tells you all you need to know about his rise in the game over the last decade.
He has returned from the shadows and picked up from where he left off, enjoying a stunning summer, which says as much about his mental fortitude as it does his talent.
Only three players have scored more runs in a single Ashes series than Smith, who could even have rivaled the watermark set by Bradman in 1930 had he been able to play in the third Test at Headingley. A majestic batsman who we are fortunate to have in our midst.
A bit of artistic license here. One hundred and forty-nine of Taylor's 169 Test innings have come at No.4, but due to his undeniable quality and the dearth of options in this position, it seems wasteful to leave him out.
The manner in which the second half of Taylor's career has flourished is well documented. Since undergoing eye surgery in November 2016 his numbers in all formats have improved. His average in his 18 Tests since going under the knife is a touch below 50, while his strike-rate continues to soar.
With both sides lacking world-class allrounders, the middle order is a difficult task. And while Tim Paine is edging towards the exit door, Watling is showing no signs of slowing down.
In 2019, he averages in the 80s, thanks to his double century against England at Bay Oval and is the glue below the Kiwi's world-class three and four.
And in a world when wicket-keepers in all formats are appointed based on their batting, it is reassuring that Watling is so secure behind the stumps. Adam Gilchrist believes he is the best around in the international red-ball game, and who would argue?
Tom Latham has turned into an established Test opener over the last 12 months
An ability to weigh-in with the ball gives De Grandhomme the edge over Matthew Wade and Travis Head. The 33-year-old might not have the discipline to reel-off successive scores with the bat, but his contributions can be heavy when they do indeed come.
Batting down at seven relieves him of the pressure to soak up deliveries and instead take on an attack. And with a strike-rate at 87.28 in 19 Tests, you know De Grandhomme isn't going to hang around.
That said he showed intelligence to bat to the situation in the first Test against England, instead of playing what would be considered his natural game. Granted, he does have not the potency with the ball to run through a batting line-up but he is a handy operator.
Kicking off the most competitive area of the team is the Westmead native, who with a career average just above 22 approaches the top 10 in history to play 27 Tests or more.
Various ailments might have deprived us of Cummins at his rip-roaring best for a sustained period but playing a full part in the Ashes could indicate an injury-free spell beckons.
Such is his importance to this Australia team he has shared a leadership role in the wake of the ball-tampering affair in Cape Town. A promotion could even be in the offing in the not-too-distant future.
Gets in ahead of fellow-left-armer Trent Boult due to his searing pace and the fear-factor he exhibits in the middle. Starc might not have repeated his white-ball exploits in the Test arena, perhaps often due to fitness concerns, but there is no doubting his ability.
It took until the fourth Test for Starc to force his way into Australia's Ashes attack, but that is a reflection of the riches they have to draw from, rather than his own drawbacks. Starc's numbers stack up well compared to his rivals for a berth but as this summer has already proved, he merely needs a run in the team to get up to full speed.
Steve Smith returned to his best during the Ashes
Only Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have more Test wickets for Australia. And while you have to dip down to Michael Kasprowicz to find a bowler with a poorer average to have taken 100 wickets or more, there is no doubting his position in this team.
There is something endearing about the manner in which Lyon has grown into Test cricket. He has five-fors away against virtually all major nations with the red-ball in hand.
These days his outspoken nature off-the-field is almost as newsworthy as his performances in the middle. But having already devoted himself to bringing through Australia's next-generation, his contribution to the sport holds no bounds.
The third of Australia injury-hit bowling battery but perhaps the one which evokes the fondest memories of those from yesteryear. Hazlewood had the jarring misfortune of missing out on the World Cup, having to watch from the sidelines while recovering from a back problem.
Like a coiled spring he returned with a vengeance during the Ashes with some breezy, lengthy spells to destroy England's woeful batting line-up. He finished with 20 wickets from four Tests and no bowler deserved their rewards more. Tim Southee's effort are admirable but he just misses out.
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