🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 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 the top level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman whether needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible as Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side till C