🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener indicates the necessity for cool heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C