🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for cool heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side till C