The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team across recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side till C
