🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist 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 bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C