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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is almost over following Australia announced a 15-player team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game points to the necessity for cool temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the remaining new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a reserve after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other main attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and can embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance 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 batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side until C