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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly finished following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. Yet the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and can seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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