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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is nearly finished following the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the Bazball bravado, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top seamer in the team has emerged as a focus for England for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without proving to be a threat at international cricket and can seize the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a much more confident batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or help steer the tail with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following carrying the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and habit to hit big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His outstanding form with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to captain the team till C