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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger group for the first match suggests the requirement for calm minds during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key attackers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and habit to clobber huge scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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