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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost done after Australia announced a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game suggests the need for cool heads during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is again selected as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the other key bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. However the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and should seize the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-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 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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