🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener indicates the need for composed temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a reserve following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other main attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and should embrace the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity 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 form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C