🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a back-up after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter whether required to score quickly or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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