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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the need for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can embrace the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batters failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C