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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to embrace the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and habit to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side till C