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The time for pre-Ashes talk and squad guesses is almost done after Australia unveiled a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. The larger lineup for the series opener indicates the necessity for cool minds during the heated contest, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new players being two fast bowling backups, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive approach, with a star rating showing their likely effect on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned seamer is once again trusted as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback still uncertain, and the other key bowlers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at international cricket and can embrace the uncommon opportunity to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a far more composed batter whether required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a decisive contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the Test team from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at No 3 in challenging circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected lower down to make sure he can additionally support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl more spells later in the series, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the peak of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of movement whether seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is vital to the team's chances of taking the game up to England with his positive intent and tendency to clobber huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could suit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains 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 the subcontinent earlier this year. However following being one of many batters failing to deal with India’s the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final Test series to make sure he can decide himself on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. His exceptional form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is more likely to trouble England when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but bounced back to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C