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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically over after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game suggests the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining new players being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old 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 – and has being a threat at international cricket and can embrace the rare opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to deliver more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers after carrying the limited-overs attack and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and hint of seam whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the enduring question if he can play four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and habit to score massive scores as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion 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 underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. However following being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’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