The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The explosive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C
