🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side until C