🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C