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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically over after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining uncapped players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and should embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batsman if needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked 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 crucial series. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the England's front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to clobber big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the side till C