🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the need for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and can welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C