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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is nearly finished after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the requirement for composed heads during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the first time instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being two pace reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the Bazball style, with a star rating reflecting their possible effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again trusted as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and should welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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