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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the necessity for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a object for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter whether needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks prepare 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 career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to hit big runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C