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The phase for before the Ashes talk and selection guesses is almost done after Australia revealed a 15-player lineup to confront England in the Perth Test. The expanded group for the first match points to the necessity for cool heads during the fiery contest, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with Marnus Labuschagne hitting stride and the remaining new members being a pair of fast bowling backups, there is a known quality to the team even without unavailable skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every member (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential impact on the series starting on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The experienced seamer is once again selected as a back-up following being a consistent presence in the white-ball sides in the past few years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the other key bowlers facing a gruelling fixture list, the veteran will want to maintain his recent success to remain in consideration for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key seamer in Australia has turned into a focus for the opposition for his moderate returns during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. But the veteran has secured a significant haul at an average of an impressive figure – including a hat-trick in his last Test against West Indies – without being a danger at this level and should welcome the rare opportunity to start a series in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is returning in the simmering atmosphere of an Ashes series hoping to impress with the bat and his gloves, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a far more composed batter whether required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the fringes of the Australian side during the last few matches and is back following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the final – at an average of 24.15 in the previous domestic competition. An international debut is now possible while the captain is sidelined and the front-line quicks prepare for a intense five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted all-rounder had been identified for the Test team from an early stage in his career despite injury concerns, and the moment has arrived for him to make a significant contribution to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order players while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but could be preferred lower down to make sure he can additionally support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be selected as a true all-rounder in Perth, or may have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and getting ready for the Ashes series during games against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable line and length, and touch of swing whether off the seam or swing, is sure to Test the England's front foot method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The explosive batter is critical to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his attacking approach and tendency to score huge runs as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team last summer, and the same the previous occasion the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the squad demonstrated that he must additionally be considered as a pure batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The 30-year-old is most at home playing in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading the team in limited-overs games that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batters unable to handle India’s Jasprit Bumrah last summer, the veteran requires a strong start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his final campaign to ensure he can make the call himself on the time to hang up the cap. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The former top-ranked batsman has left behind a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped behind him to force his way again into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering performance with five hundreds in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if required with Khawaja, although the 31-year-old is probably to trouble England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match helped turn the contest when the team toured the UK in the last series. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with just a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to the team's clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C