🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost finished following Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality off the field. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and can embrace the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C