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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost finished after Australia revealed a 15-man squad to face England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the series opener suggests the need for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their possible influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again relied upon as a reserve following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the other key attackers dealing with a tough schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his reserved demeanor away from the field. But the veteran has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at international cricket and ought to embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his powers following carrying the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or perhaps even five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game against the opposition with his positive approach and habit to clobber huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team showed that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which might suit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being among several batters unable to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a strong start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his recent knocks might provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if needed with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to captain the side till C