🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match indicates the need for calm temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well 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 confident batsman if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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