The phase for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is again selected as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at the top level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
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 deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to hit big runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team until C
