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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished following Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener points to the requirement for cool minds during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other new players being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the other main bowlers dealing with a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature away from the pitch. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – and has being a threat at the top level and can welcome the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest aiming to make his mark 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 currently a far more confident batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable as the captain is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to Test the England's front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to clobber massive scores as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against the English pace cartel in what might be his final Test series to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the side until C