The period for before the Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the need for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at this level and should welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
Third. Alex Carey
The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
Fifth. Cameron Green
The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
Sixth. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and propensity to hit massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C
