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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia unveiled a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now possible 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 promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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