🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost over following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the requirement for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and should embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C