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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly done after Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm minds during the fiery contest, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a object for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to seize the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more confident batter if required to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during 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 following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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