🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost over following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the need for composed temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C