The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want 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 focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C
