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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match indicates the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the field. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at this level and should seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batsman if needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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