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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger group for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his positive approach and tendency to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side until C