🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the need for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn 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 nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C