🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C