🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the field. 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 West Indies – without being a threat at this level and ought to seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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