🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a object for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at this level and can welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial 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 preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team until C