🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is nearly finished after Australia revealed a 15-member lineup to face England in the first Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the need for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the field. But 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 being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a far more confident batter if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C