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The period for before the Ashes exchanges and selection predictions is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener suggests the necessity for cool heads during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining key attackers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and habit to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India 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 captain the side till C