The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the need for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and can seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal 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 pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C
