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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is nearly finished after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the requirement for calm minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut in place of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has being a force at this level and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere 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 the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his positive approach and habit to score massive runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably 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 wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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