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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is practically done following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the team until C