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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-man team to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the need for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer included for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being two pace replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating reflecting their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return remaining unclear, and the other key bowlers facing a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his strong performances to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key seamer in the team has become a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the pitch. Yet the 36-year-old has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and can welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batter whether needed to score quickly or guide the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable as Cummins is injured and the front-line quicks prepare for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the batting players while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following carrying the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during games against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and touch of seam whether off the seam or swing, is sure to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes increase. A pair of centuries against India recently, and the similar the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a transition at the top of the order following strengthening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old requires a good start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings might provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match helped change the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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