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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically done after the Australian team announced a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other front-line attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and ought to embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, 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 chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown 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 replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C