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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the requirement for composed heads during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key attackers confronting a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more confident batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive approach and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to lead the team until C