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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game suggests the need for calm minds during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a back-up following being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will hope to maintain his good form to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad showed that he should also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C