🔗 Share this article

The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically over following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener indicates the necessity for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again selected as a substitute after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at the top level and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and habit to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed 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 was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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