🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the need for composed heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more selected as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much 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 currently a far more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking intent and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite 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 earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C