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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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