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The period for before the Ashes banter and squad guesses is practically finished after the Australian team revealed a 15-player team to face the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the initial game points to the need for cool heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer named for the debut in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining inexperienced members being two fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will confront the aggressive bravado, with a star rating showing their possible impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran paceman is once again trusted as a reserve after being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in recent years. With Cummins's return still uncertain, and the other main attackers confronting a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will hope to sustain his recent success to stay in consideration for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in Australia has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet personality off the pitch. But the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – including a hat-trick in his most recent Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a threat at the top level and should embrace the rare chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, as much 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 batter if needed to lift the run-rate or support the tail with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the fringes of the national team during recent matches and is back following claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line quicks get ready for a intense five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his career even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to deliver a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to make sure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can realistically be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic pace bowler is at the peak of his powers after carrying the white-ball bowling and preparing for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is sure to Test the England's aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can play four or maybe even five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his aggressive intent and habit to clobber big runs as the stakes increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English toured for five Tests point to his abilities, while the player has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his part-time but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

8. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in white-ball matches that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran stays even amid demands for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in Sri Lanka recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to handle the Indian the paceman last summer, the 38-year-old needs a good start against the English fast-bowling attack in what could be his farewell campaign to ensure he can decide personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal run and the disappointment of being omitted in the past to earn his place back into the national team – and surely the playing eleven to feature in the first Test. Labuschagne blistering performance with five hundreds in his recent knocks might give the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with Khawaja, though the batsman is probably to worry England when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his dismissal efforts following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when Australia visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver 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 Australia batting great will step in to captain the side till C