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The phase for before the Ashes banter and selection speculation is nearly finished after Australia unveiled a 15-man lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the series opener points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with the newcomer included for the debut replacing aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman returning to form and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of pace reserves, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in alphabetical order) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more trusted as a substitute after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the remaining key bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will aim to maintain 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 the opposition for his moderate performances during the previous series as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and ought to seize the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The preferred wicketkeeper is back in the intense cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more confident batsman whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few Test series and is back following taking a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An first appearance is now possible while the captain is injured and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been earmarked for the national side from early in his career despite fitness issues, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the bowling unit. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the peak of his powers following carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the England's aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is vital to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against England with his positive approach and propensity to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the same the last time England toured for a full series point to his talents, while the 31-year-old has a knack of taking a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad proved that he should also be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to worry the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts following a muscle problem in the second match helped turn the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but recovered to be key to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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