The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and can seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to hit huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C
