🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at international cricket and can embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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