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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is almost done after the Australian team revealed a 15-man squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool heads during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again selected as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor off the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and can seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more confident batsman if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to score big runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However following being one of many batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the side until C