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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to take on England in the first Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to embrace the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring 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 sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more 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 though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C