The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost finished following Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the requirement for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is once again selected as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and ought to seize the unique opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul 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 lead the side till C
