The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced paceman is once again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and can welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batter if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to score massive runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C
