🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the need for composed minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at this level and can seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more confident batter whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting 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 Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. 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 force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side until C