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The time for before the Ashes banter and selection predictions is nearly done after the Australian team announced a 15-player team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The larger squad for the initial game points to the need for calm temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the team even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the Bazball bravado, with a star rating reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again trusted as a substitute following being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other front-line attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. But the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at the top level and should welcome the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the intense atmosphere of an battle aiming to impress with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batter if required to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring concern whether he can feature in four or maybe even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of taking the game against England with his positive intent and tendency to score huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests demonstrate his skills, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to lead the team till C