🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-player team to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and should embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C