The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the series opener points to the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his attacking intent and propensity to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side until C
