The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances 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 modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to hit huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C
