🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will want to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at the top level and should welcome the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening 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 handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team until C