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The period for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the necessity for composed heads during the heated battle, with the newcomer included for the debut instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced members being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again selected as a substitute after being a regular member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the remaining main attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to continue his strong performances to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has emerged as a object for England for his unflattering returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can seize the uncommon chance to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure 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 the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is returning following taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive intent and habit to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time England visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batsman when scoring a century at better 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 demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But following being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being dropped behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the team management the assurance to support him to open if needed alongside the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the team till C