🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for calm minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and can embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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