🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C