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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost over following Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for composed temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the debut replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a reserve after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at international cricket and can embrace the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter if needed to score quickly or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and habit to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the contest when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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