The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced seamer is once again selected as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at the top level and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and propensity to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C
