🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C