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The time for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the first match indicates the need for cool minds during the fiery Ashes series, with Jake Weatherald named for the first time in place of fiery 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 even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will confront the Bazball approach, with a rating out of five indicating their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again selected as a substitute following being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other main bowlers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain his strong performances to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his reserved nature off the pitch. But the veteran has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at the top level and ought to welcome the unique opportunity to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batter if needed to accelerate or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But following being among several batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel 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 top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the side till C