🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost done following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and should welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question if he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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