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The period for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is nearly done following the Australian team unveiled a 15-man lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match points to the necessity for cool minds during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of fiery opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the selection even without injured skipper Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their likely effect on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced paceman is once more trusted as a reserve following being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a tough schedule, the veteran will hope to sustain his good form to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet personality off the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at this level and should welcome the rare chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable incident when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a much more assured batsman whether needed to lift the run-rate or guide the tail with a match-turning knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back following claiming a solid haul – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s domestic competition. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to deliver a major impact to a high-stakes contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also assist the bowling unit. Whether Green can feasibly be picked as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells later in the campaign, might be decided in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s consistent discipline, and touch of seam whether seam movement or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to scoring, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can play four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game against the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score massive runs as the stakes rise. A pair of centuries against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the 31-year-old has a talent of finding a key wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be viewed as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle-order though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced stays despite demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being among several batsmen failing to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the 38-year-old requires a positive start against the English fast-bowling cartel in what could be his final campaign to ensure he can decide personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to play in Perth. Labuschagne blistering form with five centuries in his recent innings could give the team management the confidence to back him to open if required with Khawaja, though the 31-year-old is more likely to worry the opposition when batting at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second match helped turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be key to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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