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The period for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is almost finished after Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the need for calm minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a substitute following being a consistent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in Australia has turned into a object for England for his unflattering returns during the previous series as well as for his reserved demeanor off the field. However the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a three in three in his last Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and ought to embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batsman if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the fringes of the Australian side across recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is currently possible as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a significant impact to a crucial series. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his abilities following carrying the limited-overs bowling and preparing for the contest during games against India. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question if he can play four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and habit to score massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series point to his skills, while the player has a knack of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad proved that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which might suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order after tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his final 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 left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if needed with the opener, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when Australia toured the UK in the last series. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will step in to captain the team until C