To What Extent Each Australia Cricketer Can Influence the Ashes Series

The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match points to the requirement for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and habit to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side until C