🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the necessity for calm heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C