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The time for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is practically over following the Australian team announced a 15-man squad to confront England in the Perth Test. This extended group for the series opener indicates the necessity for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman finding form and the only other inexperienced members being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Following is the way each player (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive bravado, with a star rating reflecting their possible impact on the campaign starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced fast bowler is again relied upon as a substitute following being a frequent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining main attackers facing a demanding fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to sustain his good form to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

Among the top pace bowler in the team has turned into a focus for England for his moderate performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his calm personality off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – and has being a danger at the top level and ought to welcome the unique chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his role in a memorable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is now a considerably more composed batsman whether needed to score quickly or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team across recent Test series and is returning following claiming 33 wickets – including eleven in the last match – at an bowling average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently possible as the captain is sidelined and the key quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising player had been identified for the national side from early in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has arrived for him to make a major contribution to a crucial contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting batters while coming in at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. Whether he can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to deliver more spells later in the series, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and hint of swing whether off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to batting, with the enduring concern if he can feature in four or maybe as many as five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and tendency to hit big runs as the pressure rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underrated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team demonstrated that he must also be considered as a pure batsman when hitting a century at better than a run-a-ball on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most comfortable playing in the middle-order although he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to bat higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays despite calls for a transition at the opening position after tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. Yet following being one of many batters failing to handle the Indian Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran needs a strong beginning against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what might be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on the time to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and surely the playing eleven to play in the first Test. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent innings might provide the team management the confidence to support him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble England 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 muscle problem in the second Ashes Test contributed to turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the home campaign he hoped for against the Indian team with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be key to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

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