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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically finished after Australia revealed a 15-member team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game indicates the necessity for composed heads during the fiery battle, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. However 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 last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during recent Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a good start against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the batsman is probably to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the side until C