🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated 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 the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C