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The phase for before the Ashes exchanges and squad guesses is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member team to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match suggests the requirement for calm temperaments during the heated contest, with the newcomer selected for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is how each member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is again selected as a reserve following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other key bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the veteran will aim to continue his strong performances to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his calm nature off the pitch. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a force at the top level and ought to welcome the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an Ashes series hoping to make his mark with the batting and his gloves, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing the English batsman at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter whether needed to lift the run-rate or support the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team during recent Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers prepare for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from early in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a important impact to a pivotal contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order players while batting at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be selected in the order to make sure he can also assist the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate pace bowler is at the height of his powers after leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s steady accuracy, and hint of movement whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the persistent concern whether he can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batsman is critical to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his positive intent and habit to score huge runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the similar the previous occasion the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad showed that he must also be considered as a pure batter when pummelling a century at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which might fit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains despite demands for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. However following being one of many batsmen failing to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good start against England’s pace attack in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match helped change the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to lead the team till C