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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically finished following Australia revealed a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the debut instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent discipline, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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