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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost over after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the first match indicates the need for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a object for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer 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 veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team till C