Australia's Ashes build-up has been turbulent after key injury setbacks, leaving selectors under pressure ahead of the first Test.
Captain Pat Cummins won't feature in Perth due to a recurring lumbar injury, creating a significant void in Australia's bowling attack.
Steve Smith will step up in his place, riding good form after scoring a ton in a recent Sheffield Shield fixture.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood are locked in, but the crucial third seamer spot is still up for grabs, with several candidates vying for selection.
Scott Boland leads the conversation after dismantling England in 2021/22, however, the Aussie's have a strong stable of young quicks that will be banging the door down in Shield cricket.
The other notable selection debate is over the opening partnership. Usman Khawaja is a lock to tie down one end, but the other position has been the subject of what has been dubbed the 'Australian bat-off' in recent weeks.
AllSportsPeople takes a look at who is a lock, who is a major contender and who is a bolter for Australia's squad in the 2025/26 Ashes.
MORE: Latest injury updates and possible replacement for Pat Cummins | When will Australia announce their Ashes squad? Who is in England's Ashes Squad?
LOCKS
Usman Khawaja
Khawaja is a lock to be one half of the Australian opening batting duo. At 38-years-old, this could be one of the last opportunities for the veteran to don the baggy green.
Selectors will place strong faith in his ability to provide a stable platform at one end and see off England's fast-bowling attack.
Steve Smith
Smith is stepping up into the captaincy role with his bat in fine form, having recently nudged a century for New South Wales.
With the usual skipper sidelined for at least the first Test, his dual role as senior batsman and stand-in captain will play a huge role in Perth.
Travis Head
Currently ranked the 11th best Test batsman in the world, Head is a shoo-in to come in at five for Australia.
His aggressive approach at the crease will help dictate the pace of the series and makes him a top-order lock for Andrew McDonald's side.
Alex Carey
Carey will hold the gloves for the home side as he's evolved into Australia's most reliable batsman-keeper since Adam Gilchrist.
His adaptability with the bat is a huge plus for the Aussie's. Carey has a history of extending partnerships with the men in the top-order, but can also carry the tail through the end of an innings.
Pat Cummins (c)
Despite being ruled out of the Perth opener due to a back issue, Cummins is still central to Australia's Ashes campaign.
Once he is deemed fit to play, his match-winning presence and leadership on and off the field make him indispensable over the course of five Tests.
Mitchell Starc
With Cummins out, Australian selectors won't experiment with the remaining members of the potent bowling quartet.
Starc will handle the new ball as usual and will look to wreak havoc on the English as the only left-arm pace option assured of his place in the squad.
Nathan Lyon
The greatest off-spinner of all time will look to add to his remarkable legacy with another Ashes series win.
His place as the country's number one spinner is under no threat as he looks to turn the ball on Australian decks for another summer.
Josh Hazlewood
Hazelwood's relentless line and length render him a guaranteed pick in the bowling unit.
His style compliments the other bowlers in the quartet, making his selection for the Ashes a foregone conclusion.
MAJOR CONTENDERS
Marnus Labuschagne
Labushagne is battling back into form with some big Shield centuries, pushing his case for a top order spot.
After being dropped against the West Indies, the 31-year-old is in the frame to take back a position in the XI.
However, selectors will still need to deliberate his optimal batting position considering how the team is currently constructed - whether that's at three, or as the other opener.
Matt Renshaw
After playing Test cricket for Australia between 2016-2018, then returning briefly in 2023, Renshaw is again making a solid case for why he should be recalled into the Test team.
Renshaw scored 128, and then 29 in his most recent Shield knocks, however, he did so in partnership with Khawaja at the top of the Queensland order which could bode well for his Ashes chances.
Jake Weatherald
Fans of the Big Bash will be familiar with Weatherald, but he's made serious domestic noise in the four-day format as well.
He averages 37.63 in first class cricket, but recent scores of 57, 67 and 94 will have selectors optimistic about his game.
However, against Victoria he notched just 12 runs in two innings including a duck which has settled the hype that was starting to build around his possible inclusion in the side.
Sam Konstas
Ten months ago, Konstas set the MCG alight in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series, taking the match to the Indians on the way to a rapid 60-run innings.
However, his recent Test form has tailed off, struggling to get going in any of his knocks over in the West Indies back in June.
Konstas' form in Shield cricket hasn't been anything to write home about either, averaging just 34.4 runs in first class action this summer.
Cameron Green
Green's all-round capabilities and long-term potential has made him a favourite of Aussie selectors in his young career.
With Labushagne likely to be pushed up the order into the vacant opening spot, Green may slide up to first drop, the position where Marnus did the bulk of his work for the nation throughout his career.
He will be under serious pressure to start fast as he's yet to fully establish himself in 32 Test appearances, averaging just 34.
Beau Webster
Webster debuted against India last summer and has averaged 34.63 with the bat and 23.25 with the ball across the seven test matches he's played so far.
He's proven to be a reliable all-rounder in the middle-order in those outings, however, the Tasmanian may be in a shoot-out with Green if the Aussie's only want one all-rounder.
Webster was reportedly assured of his spot in the squad by George Bailey, but it may prove difficult to retain his spot in the starting XI.
Josh Inglis
Inglis provides a viable wicketkeeping alternative with the ability to hold his own with the bat, offering Australia some squad flexibility.
While Carey remains first-choice, Inglis is a serious contender to feature at some point during the summer thanks to his multi-skill value.
Michael Neser
Neser has long been in the frame for Test selection, but has been hampered by the quality talent sitting in front of him.
In his two starts wearing the baggy green, Neser was serviceable with both bat and ball. However, at 35-years-of-age, he will likely be viewed as added depth in the fast-bowling unit if he is to be selected.
Scott Boland
Boland is the most likely contender to feature in Perth as the injury to Cummins has made him a borderline lock for the third seamer role.
However, McDonald has been committed to leaving the competition open for now, so Boland's Shield form will loom large.
In his last outing for Victoria, Boland took eight wickets in two innings including a five-for, further solidifying his case for the first Test.
Brendan Doggett
Doggett has emerged as a popular name within the Ashes selection debate, with his recent six-for in Shield cricket boosting his claim as a reserve seamer for the squad.
While not first choice yet, he sits in the strong pool of bowlers from which selectors will draw when shaping the home squad.
With Cummins out, the door has opened for someone to challenge Boland for the third quick spot in the rotation, which could be Doggett's avenue to Test selection.
Todd Murphy
Murphy has stepped up as the additional spin option behind Lyon and represents valuable bench strength should conditions or workload demand two spinners.
His right-arm off-break has proven to translate to Test cricket, as he's averaged 28.13 with the ball in his seven appearances on the world stage.
BOLTERS
Marcus Harris
Harris remains a long-shot contender at opener; his Test average is underwhelming, yet his domestic experience keeps him in consideration.
Should others falter or injury strike, a serious Shield rampage might thrust him into the frame from outside in.
Will Salzmann
Salzmann has made headlines for the impressive start that he's made to his first-class career.
He demonstrated the temperament required for long format cricket when he held down one end of a tricky WA deck on debut.
Salzmann's since gone on to score 65 in Brisbane, but remains a long shot to be called into the Test squad this summer.
Cameron Bancroft
At 32, Aussie selectors might be drawn to Bancroft's experience to open alongside Khawaja.
His chances will also be helped by a recent score of 122 against a dangerous South Australian attack.
Things will have to break right for Bancroft to find his way back into the side, but if he gets a crack, he appears determined to capitalise on the opportunity.
Nathan McSweeney
After a tough introduction into Test match cricket last summer, another year of experience could be enough to catapult McSweeney back into the opening mix.
A few strong knocks for Australia A against India A in their recent series with scores of 94, 75 and 85* will have reminded selectors of the potential they saw in him a year ago.
Mitch Marsh
While admitting he’d never say ‘no’ to playing Test cricket again should he be called upon by the national selectors, Marsh has acknowledged that his Ashes hopes are faint.
"I’ll be six beers deep by lunch on day one," Marsh told his former national coach, Darren Lehmann, when asked about his plans for the first Test against England.
In his 46-match Test career, Marsh has averaged 28.53 with the bat and 40.41 with the ball, making him an outside chance for selection.
Sean Abbott
Another mainstay of the Australian domestic scene, Abbott will be hoping that this summer is his chance to finally break through into the Test lineup.
He's been part of numerous squads in year's past because of his reliable right-arm pace, and as with other bowlers in this mix, the injury to Cummins has left the door ajar for a potential call-up in Perth.
Mahli Beardman
Beardman has enjoyed a breakout domestic season which has put him on the Ashes radar, though spots in the fast-bowling unit are limited.
At just 20 years old, his raw pace and ability to swing the ball have drawn comparisons to some of the nation's greats.
He could be a player that benefits from being taught the ropes by the quicks already in the Test setup.
Potential Ashes XI/15-man squad
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Cameron Green
- Steve Smith (c)
- Travis Head
- Beau Webster
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Mitchell Starc
- Scott Boland
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
SQUAD PLAYERS: Pat Cummins*, Matt Renshaw, Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett