The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly over after Australia announced a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match points to the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team until C
