🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically done after the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match indicates the necessity for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances 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 the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and should seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C