The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically over after Australia revealed a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the necessity for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter if needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances 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 the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran stays despite demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C
