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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is practically over after Australia revealed a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game indicates the need for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once again trusted as a substitute after being a regular member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As the captain's comeback remaining unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at the top level and can welcome the uncommon chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back after claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now attainable as the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a important impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the standout of the batting batters while batting at first drop in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If he can feasibly be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and propensity to score huge scores as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he should additionally be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. His exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required alongside the opener, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to lead the team until C