The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost over following the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key seamer in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side until C
