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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is almost over following Australia announced a 15-member lineup to confront the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the need for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the Bazball bravado, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again relied upon as a reserve following being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other key bowlers dealing with a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to maintain his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for England for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a danger at the top level and can seize the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if required to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and hint of swing whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to hit huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team 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 key dismissal with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on when to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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