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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and can seize the unique opportunity to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a new blood at the opening position after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a strong beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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