🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for cool minds during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team until C