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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the requirement for calm heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once more selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at international cricket and can welcome the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batsman if required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his attacking approach and propensity to score big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team until C