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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the requirement for composed heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more selected as a substitute following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other front-line attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and can embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent question whether he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to score big scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C