🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the need for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and tendency to score big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C