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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is practically finished after Australia unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match suggests the need for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the squad despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again trusted as a back-up following being a regular member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key attackers facing a gruelling schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved personality off the field. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at international cricket and should welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a much more assured batter if required to score quickly or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to the opposition with his attacking intent and tendency to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C