Left Arm Around

It’s back. 844 days since a relentless series ended 2-2 at the Oval, the old enemies are set to resume battle for that little urn once again.

But after the controversies of 2023, which saw Jonny Bairstow dramatically ‘ran out’ by Alex Carey at Lord’s, the rain curtail a likely England win at Old Trafford and Stuart Broad concluding his fantastic international career with the final wicket of the series down in South London, what can we expect from this series down under?

After all, two years is a long time and England have failed to win a Test in Australia’s backyard since Sydney in January 2011.

Ben Stokes’ side will be looking to hold the urn for the first time since 2015, meanwhile the hosts will be looking to continue that dominant home record.

Here are some key stats and information of every player starting for the HOME side in Perth.

*Stats courtesy of HOWSTAT*

Australia lineup

Usman Khawaja– 1378 runs in 19 Ashes Tests @ 40.53, 4 centuries

After a brilliant series in 2023, including a fabulous 141 in a great win at Edgbaston, Khawaja was deservedly renowned as probably the best Test opener in the world- certainly based on consistency of run scoring across the globe. But after a poor run of form against India at home last summer and West Indies in the Caribbean most recently, many have began to question the 38 year-old’s place in the side. One would feel that the left-hander has little time left in international cricket, therefore he’ll be desperate to prove the ‘naysayers’ wrong. The former Lancashire batter can take great confidence from scoring two centuries (137 and 101*) in his last home Test against England at Sydney in 2022.

Jake Weatherald- N/A, Test debut

Partnering Khawaja at the top is Tasmanian Tigers left-hander Jake Weatherald. The 31 year-old comes into the Test arena with an impressive yet unremarkable first-class record, having scored 5322 runs and 13 centuries in 77 matches. Although his Sheffield Shield returns this year show 301 runs at an average of 37, he put the selectors on notice with a brilliant campaign in 2024/25. His 906 runs at a shade above 50 meant he was the leading run-scorer in the country. England would be stupid to underestimate his talents, despite his lack of international experience.

Marnus Labuschagne- 1016 runs in 14 Ashes Tests @ 40.64, 2 centuries

After taking international cricket by storm and quickly climbing to the number one Test batter in the world, it seemed like nothing could stop the run-scoring appetite and exploits of a batting nerd like Labuschagne. At some point though, something switched.

Technical deficiencies culminated in long periods of time without a significant score, meaning the selectors had little choice to drop him for the recent tour of the West Indies. Some may argue it was harsh given he was jettisoned to open in their WTC final loss to South Africa, a position Labuschagne is unfamiliar with, however time away from the spotlight of Test cricket seemed to do the 31 year-old a world of good.

With five centuries since September, including two in the Marsh One-Day Cup and three in the Sheffield Shield, Labuschagne was simply a shoo-in for selection. Those in charge will be hoping he can repay the faith and get back to his devastating best.

Steve Smith- 3417 runs in 37 Ashes Tests @ 56.02, 12 centuries

Read those stats above and you realise this guy needs no introduction. Whenever his side have needed him, Smith has constantly ‘stood up’ and been a thorn in the Three Lions’ side. While 2023 was somewhat quiet by Smith’s ridiculous high standards, yielding 390 runs at 48.75, he will be keen to produce another generational series not too dissimilar to 2019. He will lead the side in place of Pat Cummins, who misses the first Test through injury. Smith has made headlines with some verbal jibes towards former England off-spinner Monty Panesar, mocking his appearance on the UK quiz show ‘Mastermind’. Will that harm or fuel his performance?

Travis Head- 910 runs in 13 Ashes Tests @ 39.57, 2 centuries

His numbers above may not leap off the page, however few can contest the destructive power and game-changing ability of an aggressor like Head. With a growing CV that includes a WTC final ton against India in 2023 and ODI World Cup final hundred later that year, both in winning causes, the tourists will be well aware of the threat that the left-hander poses. The likes of Smith and Labuschagne are more likely to be consistent and grind attacks down, but Head possesses an uncommon knack of taking matches away from the opposition in the blink of an eye. His eye-watering knock of 152 from 148 deliveries against England at Brisbane in 2021 is a perfect example. A real one to watch….

Cameron Green- 331 runs in 8 Ashes Tests @ 27.58, 18 wickets @ 24.44

After hitting 94 at the WACA against Queensland last week, while also bowling a useful 16 overs, that was enough for the all-rounder to usurp an in-form Beau Webster in the XI. It says a lot that Green is included given Webster’s brilliant introduction to Test cricket. The Tasmanian all-rounder will feel very unlucky to miss out having scored four half-centuries and taken eight wickets in seven Tests thus far. He was a key part of the Aussies reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar trophy in January, hitting 57 and 39 not-out against a strong India attack. Green, who is interestingly Australia’s only starter under 30, will be under huge pressure should he perform poorly in the first few Tests.

Alex Carey- 383 runs in 10 Ashes Tests @ 21.28, 49 dismissals

Again his numbers are far from eye-catching, however stats often don’t tell the full story…

His recent showings, including 156 against Sri Lanka in Galle and some great displays behind the stumps, mean he is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

The 34 year-old will be keen to move on from the famous debacle of 2023, where he controversially ran-out Jonny Bairstow at the end of an over at Lord’s. He was then dismissed by Stuart Broad on the final evening to give England a series draw.

Lower-order runs have proven crucial in many previous Ashes series…

Mitchell Starc- 97 wickets in 22 Ashes Tests @ 27.37, four fifers

Now a veteran of 100 Tests and 402 wickets, including a incredible spell of 6/9 against West Indies in Jamaica during the landmark match, Starc heads into this series knowing it could be the last time he faces the old enemy.

He will be keen to replicate some quality moments of yesteryear against England, most famously the first-ball dismissal of Rory Burns at Brisbane in 2021.

The left-arm quick will harbour the responsibility of leading the attack, especially given the absence of Josh Hazlewood and skipper Pat Cummins.

Nathan Lyon- 110 wickets in 30 Ashes Tests @ 29.42, two fifers

Though he is unlikely to feature on a traditionally bouncy surface in Perth, Lyon’s accuracy and experience will count for plenty over the course of a long series. Much like Starc, he will be very keen to shine in one of his last outings against England. How the Three Lions combat the 38 year-old’s threat will go a long way to deciding the series.

Scott Boland- 20 wickets in 5 Ashes Tests @ 20.15, one fifer

Ripping through England hearts with 6/7 in a devastating four-over spell on debut at the MCG in 2021, Boland has gone from strength to strength in his bid to forge a brilliant international career. One imagines he would have played in far MORE than 14 Tests should he have been from another country than Australia.

The only blemishes on his sparkling record thus far are his three appearances on English shores in 2023. His seven wickets at an average of over 48 came at 4.05 runs per over.

Brendan Doggett- N/A, Test debut

The second and final debutant the Aussies have opted for in Perth. While Doggett is rather lucky to have received a cap at this point in time, given the recent injuries of Hazlewood and Cummins, that does not mean he is undeserving of a spot in the XI. The Queensland native has taken 190 first-class wickets at 26.46 since his debut in 2017. His match figures of 11/140 for South Australia in the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield final were the best in the competition’s history. More importantly, it led his side to their first title in 29 years.