🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener suggests the need for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again selected as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and habit to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands 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 earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped 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 a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C