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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly done following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key attackers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and ought to embrace the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more 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 demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team till C