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The period for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player squad to confront the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the first match indicates the need for cool heads during the intense contest, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently within reach as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If he can realistically be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern if he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to score massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batters unable to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against the English fast-bowling attack in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks could give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the side until C