The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost done following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for composed minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and ought to seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and propensity to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned remains despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C
