🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-player squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more composed batsman if required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C