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The period for before the Ashes talk and selection predictions is nearly finished following Australia announced a 15-member squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended lineup for the initial game points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their possible impact on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has become a focus for the opposition for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the pitch. However the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at international cricket and should seize the rare opportunity to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle hoping to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more confident batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the national team during recent matches and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is currently possible while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major contribution to a pivotal series. The youngster was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s steady discipline, and touch of movement whether it be seam movement or in the air, is certain to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when pummelling a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays even amid demands for a transition at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell 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 put a poor run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the assurance to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team toured England in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C