🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically done following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener indicates the need for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England 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 last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team till C