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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-member squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game indicates the necessity for calm temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at international cricket and should embrace the rare chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter whether required to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century 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 strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C