🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and should welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him 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 innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C