🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a back-up following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and can seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side until C