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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished after Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and can welcome the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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