The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and should embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C
