🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically over after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the need for composed minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved 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 player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C