🔗 Share this article

The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a substitute following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C