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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the need for composed heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a reserve after being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining key bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at the top level and can seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the intense cauldron of an contest aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more confident batter if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the periphery of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive intent and tendency to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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