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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly done following Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool minds during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is again selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the remaining key attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has emerged as a focus for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more composed batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the lower-order with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a major impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and propensity to clobber big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the last time England toured for a full series demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on despite demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. But following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has put a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C