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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match suggests the requirement for cool minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and should seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable while the captain is sidelined 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 earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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