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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost done after Australia announced a 15-player lineup to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match indicates the requirement for composed minds during the fiery battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance replacing explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their potential influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is again relied upon as a back-up after being a regular presence in the limited-overs teams in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a focus for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet demeanor off the pitch. However the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at this level and should embrace the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the intense cauldron of an battle looking to impress with the batting 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 34-year-old is now a far more confident batter whether required to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the periphery of the Australian side across the last few matches and is returning after claiming a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now possible while Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant impact to a pivotal series. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is certain to Test the England's aggressive approach to batting, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his aggressive approach and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the player has a talent of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a new blood at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can decide himself on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts after a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C