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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly finished following Australia unveiled a 15-man team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener points to the need for composed temperaments during the fiery battle, with the newcomer included for the maiden appearance instead of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the remaining inexperienced players being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the squad despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five reflecting their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again relied upon as a reserve after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unclear, and the remaining front-line bowlers dealing with a demanding fixture list, the veteran will want to continue his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the previous series as well as for his quiet personality away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a danger at international cricket and can embrace the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle aiming to impress with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more composed batter whether needed to accelerate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is back after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is currently attainable while the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver bulk overs later in the series, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether he can play four or perhaps as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the similar the last time the English toured for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the 38-year-old needs a positive beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a poor form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if required with the opener, although the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the home campaign he would have wanted against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to lead the side until C