🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly over following Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the need for cool heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batter if needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player 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 come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning 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 retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C