🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the necessity for cool minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and should seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. 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 turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C