🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-member squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a reserve after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a object for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver 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. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C