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The time for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly over after the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C