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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game points to the necessity for composed minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can seize the uncommon opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. 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, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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