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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-man team to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game indicates the requirement for composed heads during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the other key attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has turned into a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can embrace the unique opportunity to begin a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the simmering atmosphere of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is now a considerably more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also assist the pace attack. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking approach and habit to score big scores as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he should additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet after being among several batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good beginning against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C