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The phase for before the Ashes talk and squad predictions is practically over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the initial game indicates the requirement for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once more selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more composed batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent concern if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and habit to score big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a ability of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good start against England’s pace cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team till C