🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically over after Australia announced a 15-man team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain 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 earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side until C