The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the need for cool temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is again trusted as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 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 danger at the top level and should seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling 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 get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder 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 accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C
