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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the first match points to the need for calm minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the national team across recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height 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 consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more 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 leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical 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 captain the team until C