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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-man team to confront England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the series opener points to the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining main attackers confronting a demanding fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at the top level and should seize the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score big scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team till C