🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the need for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and ought to seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England 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 underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C