🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C