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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up after being a frequent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his good form to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a object for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the persistent concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C