🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the need for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a object for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and should embrace the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team until C