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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically finished after Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a much more assured batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive approach and tendency to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side until C