🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match indicates the requirement for cool heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form 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 the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C