The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically over after Australia announced a 15-man team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the need for cool heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might 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 put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C
