🔗 Share this article

The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match points to the need for composed temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays 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. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team till C