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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost over following Australia revealed a 15-member squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at this level and ought to embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop 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 true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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