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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once again selected as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and should seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C