The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game indicates the need for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key seamer in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his calm personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and tendency to score huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team until C
