🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly over following Australia announced a 15-man team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener indicates the necessity for composed heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a object for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and habit to score huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C