🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for calm temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side till C