The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to take on England in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the need for cool temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his positive intent and habit to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team till C
