🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C