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The time for before the Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the necessity for cool heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia 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 experienced stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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