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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically over after the Australian team announced a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the first Test. The expanded lineup for the first match points to the requirement for composed minds during the heated Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two pace backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at the top level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat 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 confident batter if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and hint of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to clobber huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should also be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But after being among several batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the team management the assurance to back him to open if required alongside the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to lead the team until C