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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is practically done after the Australian team revealed a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and should seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side till C