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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically over after Australia announced a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool heads during the heated battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once more selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and should welcome the rare chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if required to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team across the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to hit big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side till C