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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad guesses is nearly finished after Australia announced a 15-member squad to take on England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match indicates the need for calm minds during the fiery contest, with the newcomer included for the first time replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the only other uncapped players being a pair of pace backups, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each player (listed in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once more trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the limited-overs teams in the past few years. As the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to continue his recent success to stay in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet nature away from the field. However the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – featuring a three in three in his last Test against West Indies – without being a threat at the top level and should seize the rare chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his role in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is currently a much more confident batter if required to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an bowling average of 24.15 in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been earmarked for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the pace attack. Whether Green can realistically be selected as a genuine bowling option in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent pace bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against India. The veteran’s consistent accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if he can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive approach and propensity to hit big scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the similar the last time the English visited for five Tests point to his talents, while the player has a talent of taking a key dismissal with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when hitting a hundred at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most comfortable batting in the middle-order although he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in earlier, which might suit a regular role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his grip on the opening spot with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s Jasprit Bumrah previously, the 38-year-old requires a good beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can decide himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being dropped behind him to earn his place back into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

Eleventh. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but recovered to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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