🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the need for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and tendency to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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