🔗 Share this article

The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the necessity for calm minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again selected as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more assured batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old 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 could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C