🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to face England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C