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The time for pre-Ashes banter and squad predictions is nearly done after the Australian team unveiled a 15-player squad to take on the English side in the Perth Test. The expanded lineup for the first match suggests the necessity for calm heads during the intense battle, with the newcomer included for the first time in place of explosive opener Sam Konstas.

Yet with the batsman finding form and the remaining new members being two pace replacements, there is a known quality to the team despite the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins. Below is the way every player (presented in alphabetical order) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five reflecting their likely effect on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The seasoned fast bowler is once again relied upon as a substitute after being a consistent member in the limited-overs sides in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers facing a demanding schedule, the veteran will want to maintain his strong performances to stay in contention for a maiden appearance. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

A key pace bowler in the team has emerged as a target for England for his moderate performances during the previous series as well as for his calm personality away from the field. However the veteran has not taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 – featuring a hat-trick in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – and has proving to be a force at this level and should welcome the uncommon opportunity to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

Third. Alex Carey

The main gloveman is returning in the high-pressure cauldron of an battle hoping to impress with the batting and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when stumping the English batsman at Lord's in the last series. The veteran is currently a considerably more assured batter if required to accelerate or support the lower-order with a game-changing contribution. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state paceman has been on the edges of the Australian side during recent matches and is back after taking a solid haul – featuring 11 in the last match – at an bowling average of a respectable figure in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An international debut is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers prepare for a gruelling five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the national side from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the time has arrived for him to make a major impact to a pivotal contest. The youngster was the standout of the top-order batters while batting at first drop in challenging conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to make sure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can feasibly be selected as a genuine all-rounder in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to bowl more spells during the series, could be determined in the Sheffield Shield match soon. ★★★☆☆

Sixth. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his powers following leading the white-ball attack and getting ready for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable accuracy, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or in the air, is sure to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if Hazlewood can feature in four or perhaps as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The aggressive batsman is crucial to Australia’s hopes of taking the game up to England with his attacking approach and tendency to clobber huge scores as the stakes rise. A couple of hundreds against the Indian team recently, and the same the last time the English visited for five Tests demonstrate his abilities, while the 31-year-old has a ability of finding a breakthrough dismissal with his occasional but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The reserve keeper in the team demonstrated that he should also be considered as a pure batter when hitting a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in Sri Lanka. The player is most at home batting in the middle of the innings though he has shown while leading Australia in limited-overs matches that he has the versatility to come in higher up, which could suit a regular position as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The experienced remains even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the top of the order after strengthening his hold on the first wicket with a double century in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Yet following being among several batters failing to handle India’s the paceman last summer, the veteran needs a positive start against England’s fast-bowling cartel in what could be his farewell Test series to ensure he can decide himself on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The former No 1-ranked Test batter has left behind a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to earn his place again into the Australia squad – and certainly the XI to play in the first Test. Labuschagne outstanding form with five centuries in his last eight knocks could give the selectors the assurance to back him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is probably to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as famous for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a calf injury in the second Ashes Test contributed to change the series when Australia toured the UK in 2023. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against India with only nine wickets last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

Twelfth. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia batting great will take over to captain the side till C