🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost over after Australia announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C