🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game indicates the necessity for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best 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 reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred 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 though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C