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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game suggests the need for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor off the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a threat at this level and should seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter 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 shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C