🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again selected as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C