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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically done after Australia revealed a 15-player squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded squad for the series opener points to the necessity for composed minds during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance replacing fiery opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining uncapped members being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a regular member in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining unknown, and the other main attackers facing a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to sustain his strong performances to remain in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the previous series as well as for his calm nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a danger at this level and can seize the unique chance to begin a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team during the last few matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now within reach as the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s steady line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to Test the tourists’ front foot method to batting, with the enduring concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and tendency to hit massive scores as the pressure rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. However after being one of many batters failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent innings could provide the selectors the assurance to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after 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 just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to the team's series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will take over to lead the team until C