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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection predictions is practically done after Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the initial game points to the requirement for cool minds during the heated battle, with the newcomer named for the debut instead of aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (presented in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once more selected as a reserve following being a frequent member in the white-ball teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unclear, and the other main bowlers facing a tough schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to continue his good form to remain in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a object for England for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his reserved nature off the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a force at the top level and can seize the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure atmosphere of an battle looking to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more assured batter if required to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An international debut is now attainable while Cummins is injured and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the Test team from early in his career even amid fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a important impact to a high-stakes series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the top-order players while coming in at No 3 in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but could be selected in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. Whether he can feasibly be picked as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be trusted to bowl bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his abilities after leading the limited-overs bowling and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent line and length, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is certain to challenge the England's front foot approach to batting, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of taking the game against England with his aggressive approach and habit to score big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of centuries against India last summer, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when pummelling a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings although he has shown while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s pace attack in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can decide personally on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight knocks could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to open if needed with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The veteran did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the team till C