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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost done after Australia revealed a 15-member squad to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again selected as a substitute following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has become a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and should welcome the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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