The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the need for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to score huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team till C
