The time for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-member team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team until C
