🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the need for calm heads during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score huge scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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