The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game points to the need for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.
Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The seasoned stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team till C