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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the necessity for calm heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and ought to seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the national team during the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for five Tests point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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