The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the need for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating indicating their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is once more trusted as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at international cricket and can embrace the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting 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 pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C
