The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically finished following Australia unveiled a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the necessity for calm temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced paceman is again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key seamer in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking approach and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-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 national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C
