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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the requirement for cool temperaments during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald included for the debut replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and can seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and tendency to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C