🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and propensity to score big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C