🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team till C