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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad speculation is nearly over following the Australian team announced a 15-player team to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game suggests the requirement for calm heads during the intense Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut in place of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman hitting stride and the only other new members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will confront the aggressive style, with a rating out of five indicating their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is once more selected as a substitute after being a regular presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other main bowlers confronting a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his good form to stay in contention for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in the team has turned into a object for England for his modest returns during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a force at this level and should embrace the uncommon chance to begin a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an battle aiming to stand out with the bat and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is now a far more confident batsman if required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia fast bowler has been on the periphery of the national team across the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the final – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently possible as the captain is injured and the key quicks get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been earmarked for the Test team from early in his career even amid injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major impact to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his abilities after carrying the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot method to scoring, with the persistent question if Hazlewood can play four or perhaps even all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to Australia’s chances of taking the game up to England with his attacking intent and propensity to hit massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion England toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a talent of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also 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 comfortable batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while captaining the team in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might suit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran keeps hanging on despite calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. But following being among several batters unable to deal with the Indian the paceman previously, the veteran requires a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place back into the national team – and certainly the playing eleven to play in the first Test. Labuschagne exceptional form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to open if required alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his dismissal performances after a calf injury in the second match helped change the series when the team toured England in 2023. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against India with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C