🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically done following Australia unveiled a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and can seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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