🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost finished following the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match indicates the necessity for composed heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature off the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit massive runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team until C