🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the necessity for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and can embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more confident batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at more 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 Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side until C