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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the need for composed minds during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to score big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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