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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly over after the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the need for composed heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a back-up following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor off the field. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team until C