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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is almost over after Australia unveiled a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match points to the necessity for composed minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain 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 target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to impress 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 the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and habit to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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