🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly done following the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor off the field. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and should embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the persistent concern if he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and tendency to hit huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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