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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being two pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at this level and can seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an battle hoping to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C