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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is almost done after the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener indicates the requirement for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has become a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batter if needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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