🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the need for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team until C