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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad speculation is almost done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game suggests the necessity for cool heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more trusted as a substitute following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return still unclear, and the other front-line bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has become a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his reserved nature off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and should seize the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a much more assured batter if required to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent Test series and is back after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable as the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of movement whether off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to clobber massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the team management the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the series when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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