🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C