🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost over following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match points to the need for calm temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batsman if required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut 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 earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call 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 indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C