🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team until C