The period for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost finished after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C
