The time for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match indicates the need for composed temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.
However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.
1. Sean Abbott
The seasoned paceman is once again selected as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
Second. Scott Boland
A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more composed batter whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to score massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batting great will take over to lead the side till C
