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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game suggests the necessity for calm temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a substitute following being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the remaining main attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved personality off the field. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at this level and can seize the unique chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to hit huge scores as the pressure increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the confidence to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C