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The phase for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match points to the need for calm temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining new players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is again trusted as a substitute after being a consistent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unclear, and the remaining main bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his strong performances to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in the team has become a target for England for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. Yet the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has being a danger at international cricket and can embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a much more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a significant impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a true bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers following carrying the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive approach and habit to score big scores as the pressure increase. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he must additionally be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks might provide the team management the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to trouble England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal performances following a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the series when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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