🔗 Share this article

The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the need for calm minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind 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 play in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C