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The time for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection speculation is almost done following Australia announced a 15-player lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the requirement for cool minds during the intense battle, with Jake Weatherald selected for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman returning to form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once more relied upon as a substitute after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining key attackers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has turned into a target for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm demeanor off the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and can embrace the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an contest looking to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a far more assured batter whether required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his attacking intent and habit to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive beginning against England’s pace attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His blistering form with five centuries in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the team until C