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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly done after Australia announced a 15-member squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match indicates the requirement for composed heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a object for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and should embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C