🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly done following the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at this level and should welcome the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C