The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly over following Australia announced a 15-player squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced paceman is once more trusted as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key seamer in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve keeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate 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 captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The experienced stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C
