The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to take on the English side in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the need for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question if he can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to score big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling 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-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C
