🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for calm heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a reserve following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more 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 the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side until C