🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at this level and can embrace the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C