The period for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the need for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran seamer is again trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want 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 focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and tendency to score big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C
