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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost over after the Australian team announced a 15-member team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the need for cool heads during the intense Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a star rating reflecting their potential influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more relied upon as a back-up following being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining key bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature away from the field. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at the top level and ought to embrace the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the simmering cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to clobber huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team till C