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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the need for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more trusted as a back-up following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a object for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to score huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the side till C