The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically over after the Australian team revealed a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C
