🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match points to the need for cool temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. 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 selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side until C