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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost finished after Australia announced a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C