The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match indicates the necessity for calm minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
A key seamer in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to score massive runs as the stakes rise. 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 abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C
