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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is practically finished after Australia revealed a 15-player team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the necessity for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more selected as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining main bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and ought to embrace the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or support the lower-order with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring question whether he can feature in four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and habit to hit massive scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series demonstrate his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability 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 additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading 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. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batters 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 final Test series to make sure he can decide personally on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required with the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team until C