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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically done following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the need for calm heads during the heated contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a force at international cricket and ought to seize the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is now a far more composed batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is back 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 Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring question whether he can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to hit big scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with 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 off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia 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 last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C