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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is almost over following the Australian team announced a 15-man lineup to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the initial game suggests the need for cool temperaments during the fiery contest, with the newcomer selected for the debut instead of fiery batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the only other inexperienced players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a sense of familiarity to the team despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Below is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive approach, with a rating out of five showing their possible effect on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. As the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers facing a gruelling schedule, the 33-year-old will hope to sustain his good form to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in the team has become a target for England for his modest performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without being a threat at international cricket and should embrace the unique chance to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest looking to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is now a much more composed batter whether required to score quickly or support the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back following taking 33 wickets – including 11 in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous domestic competition. An Test cap is now attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his journey even amid fitness issues, and the time has come for him to deliver 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 West Indies but might be selected in the order to ensure he can additionally support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent seamer is at the peak of his powers after leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The 34-year-old’s reliable accuracy, and hint of seam whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the ongoing concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his aggressive approach and tendency to score massive runs as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batter when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to bat earlier, which could fit a consistent position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned remains despite calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet following being one of many batters unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive beginning against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can decide himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked batsman has left behind a poor run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to feature in Perth. His blistering performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the selectors the confidence to support him to bat first if needed with the opener, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal efforts after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test helped change the contest when the team visited the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be critical to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side till C