🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-member lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the need for calm minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and should seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batter whether required to accelerate or support 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 the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C