🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically done following Australia revealed a 15-member lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling 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 should welcome the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side till C