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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection speculation is almost over following Australia announced a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the other key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at this level and can embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter if required to accelerate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent Test series and is back 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 now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his aggressive intent and tendency to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent knocks might give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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