The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man team to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm minds during the fiery contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The veteran fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at the top level and can embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive approach and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C
