🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side till C