🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again selected as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

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 the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C