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The phase for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically over following Australia revealed a 15-member lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. This extended group for the initial game points to the requirement for cool minds during the fiery contest, with the newcomer named for the first time in place of explosive batsman Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way every player (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive approach, with a star rating indicating their possible influence on the campaign starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main attackers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has become a target for the opposition for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet demeanor away from the field. But the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without proving to be a force at this level and should seize the unique opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to make his mark with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a far more assured batsman whether needed to accelerate or support the tail with a match-turning innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during the last few matches and is back after taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as the captain is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been earmarked for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to deliver a important contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to make sure he can additionally assist the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be selected as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, could be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether seam movement or in the air, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England toured for a full series point to his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when scoring a century at better than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the versatility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. However after being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a strong beginning against the English pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne exceptional performance with five hundreds in his recent innings could give the team management the assurance to support him to bat first if required with the opener, though the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the contest when the team visited England in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only nine wickets previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will take over to lead the team till C