The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key seamer in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to seize the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batter whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more 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 Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced stays despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C
