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The period for pre-Ashes exchanges and squad speculation is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-player team to face England in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the first match suggests the need for composed heads during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the maiden appearance instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other new players being a pair of fast bowling reserves, there is a recognizable feel to the selection despite the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins. Here is the way each player (presented in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their possible influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again trusted as a reserve following being a regular presence in the limited-overs sides in recent years. As Cummins's return remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line bowlers confronting a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best pace bowler in Australia has become a focus for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature away from the field. But the 36-year-old has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of an impressive figure – including a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and can welcome the unique chance to start a campaign in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering cauldron of an contest hoping to make his mark with the batting and his keeping, 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 much more assured batsman if needed to score quickly or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the fringes of the Australian side across the last few matches and is back following taking a solid haul – including 11 in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is now within reach as Cummins is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five Tests in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the time has come for him to make a important contribution to a crucial contest. The 26-year-old was the best of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the Caribbean but might be preferred lower down to ensure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or may have to be relied upon to bowl more spells during the series, might be decided in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs attack and getting ready for the contest during matches against India. The 34-year-old’s reliable line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is bound to Test the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing question whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps even five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to England with his attacking intent and habit to clobber massive runs as the pressure increase. A couple of centuries against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion the English toured for a full series highlight his talents, while the player has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team proved that he must additionally be viewed as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in white-ball games that he has the flexibility to bat higher up, which might fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid demands for a transition at the opening position following tightening his hold on the opening spot with a double century in the subcontinent recently. Yet after being one of many batsmen failing to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a strong start against the English pace cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to make sure he can make the call himself on the time to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the indignity of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the national team – and surely the XI to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight innings might give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his missing presence as his wicket-taking efforts after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul last summer but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will step in to captain the team till C