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The phase for pre-Ashes exchanges and selection guesses is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener suggests the requirement for composed minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the first time instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating reflecting their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in Australia has become a target for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a danger at this level and ought to welcome the rare opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a much more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the fringes of the national team across recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key quicks get ready for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but could be preferred in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate 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 veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot method to batting, with the enduring question if he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and tendency to clobber big runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against the Indian team last summer, and the same the last time England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad proved that he must also be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might fit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a changing of the guard 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 Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a good start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against India with just nine wickets previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

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