🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for calm heads during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at the top level and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C