🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically over following Australia announced a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the necessity for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well 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 considerably more confident batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side until C