The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is almost over following Australia announced a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.
But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.
First. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆
Fourth. Brendan Doggett
The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆
Seventh. Travis Head
The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and propensity to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
Eighth. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
Ninth. Usman Khawaja
The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆
Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆
Eleventh. Nathan Lyon
The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C
