🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and habit to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side until C