🔗 Share this article

The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match indicates the requirement for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early 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 No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia 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 a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C