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The phase for pre-Ashes talk and selection speculation is practically over following Australia announced a 15-player lineup to take on the English side in the Perth Test. This extended squad for the series opener indicates the requirement for cool temperaments during the intense battle, with the newcomer named for the maiden appearance instead of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne finding form and the only other uncapped players being two fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the squad even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is how every member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive bravado, with a rating out of five showing their likely impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The veteran seamer is once again trusted as a back-up after being a consistent member in the white-ball sides in the past few years. With Cummins's return still unknown, and the other front-line bowlers dealing with a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in consideration for a first Test cap. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has emerged as a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his quiet nature off the pitch. Yet the veteran has secured 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his most recent Test against West Indies – and has proving to be a threat at international cricket and should embrace the uncommon chance to start a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure cauldron of an contest hoping to stand out with the batting and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping the English batsman at the famous ground in the last series. The veteran is now a much more composed batter if required to accelerate or guide the lower-order with a match-turning contribution. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent Test series and is returning after taking 33 wickets – including eleven in the final – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is currently attainable as Cummins is sidelined and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed player had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a important impact to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the pick of the batting batters while batting at first drop in difficult conditions in the Caribbean but might be selected lower down to make sure he can also assist the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs during the series, might be decided in the domestic round soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against India. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of swing whether it be off the seam or in the air, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive approach to scoring, with the ongoing question if he can feature in four or perhaps even all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The explosive batter is vital to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and habit to hit huge runs as the pressure increase. A pair of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the last time England visited for a full series point to his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up keeper in the team showed that he must also be considered as a specialist batter when scoring a century at more than a run-a-ball on debut in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old 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 come in earlier, which might fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The veteran remains even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in Sri Lanka recently. But after being one of many batsmen unable to deal with the Indian the paceman last summer, the veteran requires a positive start against the English pace attack in what might be his farewell campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being omitted in the past to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to feature in the first Test. His exceptional performance with five centuries in his recent knocks could give the team management the assurance to back him to open if needed alongside Khawaja, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his wicket-taking performances following a muscle problem in the second Ashes Test helped turn the series when the team visited the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against the Indian team with just nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to the team's series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian batting great will step in to captain the side until C