1. Sean Abbott
The experienced fast bowler will once again be relied upon as a back-up after being a regular in the white-ball squads in recent years. With Cummins’ return date still uncertain, and the other frontline bowlers facing a grueling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in the picture for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆
2. Scott Boland
Australia’s fourth-best fast bowler has become a target for England for his unflattering returns in the 2023 Ashes, but also for his quiet nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the West Indies – without being a threat at this level and should embrace the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆
3. Alex Carey
The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series, hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, but also on his hand in a moment to remember when he bowled out Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman, whether he needs to increase the run-rate or help steer the lower order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆
4. Brendan Doggett
The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team in recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 during last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the speedsters on the front line prepare for a grueling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆
5. Cameron Green
The acclaimed all-rounder was destined for the Test team from the start of his career, even in the face of injuries, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best batsman when he came on at third in tough conditions in the Caribbean, but he could be preferred at a lower position to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or perhaps should be relied on to bowl bulk later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆
6. Josh Hazlewood
The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after taking on the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series in matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length and hint of movement both off the seam and in the air will certainly test the tourists’ front-foot approach to batting, with the lingering concern being whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five games. ★★★★☆
7. Travis Head
The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game to England, with his attacking intent and propensity for big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests, highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack for finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★
8. Josh Inglis
The back-up wicketkeeper in the side proved that he should also be considered a specialist batsman when he smashed a century better than a run-a-ball on his debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home in the middle order, although while leading Australia in white-ball games he has shown he has the versatility to move up the order, which could suit a regular role as a concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆
9. Usman Khawaja
The veteran continues to hang in there even as there are calls for a change of guard at the top of the order after consolidating his grip on the opening position with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of several batters unable to cope with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide for himself when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆
10. Marnus Labuschagne
The former No. 1-ranked Test batsman has put together a dismal run and the outrage of being dropped to force his way back into the Australian squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne’s blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open alongside Khawaja if necessary, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England if he hits his favored first drop. ★★★★☆
11. Nathan Lyon
The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his attempts to take wickets after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series around when Australia visit England in 2023. The 37-year-old didn’t have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer, but returned to be crucial to Australia’s series of sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆
12. Steve Smith (captain)
The Australian batsman will step in to lead the side until Cummins returns to the XI but has already been the key player in their Ashes side. The 36-year-old is unlikely to return to the heights of his most dominant period, but he is once again the key wicket for any opposition attack after scoring two centuries against India last summer and adding several tons in Sri Lanka earlier this year. ★★★★★
13. Mitchell Starc
The left-armer is a durable bowler capable of playing all five Tests, while also having the arsenal to make a quick start and blow England away on a hard deck in Perth and in the pink-ball clash that will follow. The 35-year-old is showing little sign of slowing down, taking a record-breaking 6-9 in his most recent Test against the West Indies, while the tourists need no reminder of how Starc can set the tone after dismissing Rory Burns with the first ball of the series the last time England visited Australia. ★★★★★
14. Jake Weatherald
The aggressive opener is set to make his international debut after building on his long-standing promise to become top scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season. The 31-year-old pushed his way into the front row by starting the last campaign with three half-centuries, including a 94 for Tasmania. As one of two specialist openers in the squad, Weatherald probably only needs Green to prove he can bowl for the left-handed batsman to run alongside Khawaja in Perth. But it would be a surprise if he doesn’t make his debut against England this summer. ★★☆☆☆
15. Beau Webster
The versatile all-rounder – who can bowl medium pace or off-spin to complement his powerful middle-order batting – has barely put a foot wrong in seven Tests since his international debut last summer. But the 31-year-old is one of the tricky pieces in Australia’s selection puzzle and could be pushed out of the XI if Green is fit enough to play as a true all-rounder. Whether he earns a place in the side for the first Test or later in the series, the reliable Webster could be backed to strengthen the middle order or claim a crucial wicket or two. ★★☆☆☆
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