The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the field. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
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 moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C
