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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for calm minds during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality away from the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the uncommon chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a far more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side across recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers 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 even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his recent innings could give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team till C