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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game points to the requirement for composed minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a rating out of five showing their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a threat at the top level and can seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. 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 after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he should also be viewed as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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