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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match points to the necessity for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve after being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and ought to embrace the unique chance to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more composed batsman if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his powers following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and habit to hit massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing 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 fit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team until C