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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically finished after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the need for calm minds during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main bowlers facing a tough schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a object for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at the top level and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter whether required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber massive runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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