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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in Australia has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the team until C