The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-member team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and can embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously 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 till C
