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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the requirement for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an battle aiming to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to score massive scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team until C