The time for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost over after Australia announced a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins 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 make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C
