🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at this level and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment 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 accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C