The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-member team to face England in the first Test. The larger group for the series opener suggests the necessity for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at this level and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C
