🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically finished after Australia revealed a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the need for composed minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors 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 was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C