The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key fast bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at the top level and ought to seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test 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 critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team till C
