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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the need for composed heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and can welcome the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batsman whether required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to hit huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the side till C