🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly over after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the necessity for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster 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 ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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