🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a good start against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side until C