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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is almost over following the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C