🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost done following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the need for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive approach and habit to hit huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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