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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is practically finished following Australia announced a 15-member team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game indicates the requirement for calm temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more trusted as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and ought to embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul 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 Australia star batsman will step in to lead the side until C